KARACHI: The Federal Investigation Agency’s Cyber Crime Circle has arrested two officials of the National Database and Registration Authority (Nadra) and six owners of cell phone franchises and seized 5,000 illegal SIM cards and 10,000 thumb impressions in the Sukkur region, said a senior official on Saturday.

These illegal SIMs were used by criminals in the Katcha areas of Sindh and Punjab for kidnapping and other crimes, Additional Director Imran Riaz told a press conference here.

The officer said the two Nadra employees had given data of 10,000 thumb impressions to six franchise owners in Ghotki and Kashmore in June last year.

He said they got thumb impressions of thousands of people through Ehsas programme, etc.

The officer said the institution was not involved and he did not want to defame any institution. He said that it was an ‘individual act’ of the held Nadra officials.

He suggested that Nadra should keep an eye on ‘black sheep’ leaking sensitive data.

He admitted that these 5,000 illegal SIMs were used for ‘honey trapping’ by criminals who used female voice to trap and kidnap people.

Mr Riaz said these arrests were part of the recently launched ‘Operation Cyber Storm’ in Sindh.

Responding to a question about alleged involvement of Nadra employees in the ‘fake’ CNICs case, he said that he had been tasked by FIA chief to prepare a comprehensive report on the issue.

NBP cyber attack

Asked about the recent cyber attack at the National Bank of Pakistan’s system, he said FIA had initiated an action, but it could not proceed as the NBP management was supposed to lodge a complaint first.

However, despite repeated attempts, the bank management appeared ‘reluctant’ to lodge a complaint in writing against the hacking of its system.

Published in Dawn, December 5th, 2021