LAHORE: A fake spiritual healer has been arrested in Lahore for sexually exploiting and blackmailing a good number of women.

The National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) Punjab arrested Hafiz Ali Ahmad during a raid in Sanda area here on Tuesday.

A case has been registered against him under Sections 14, 20, 21, and 24 of Peca 2016 (Amendment Act 2025).

According to preliminary investigation, the so-called spiritual healer would target both men and women under the guise of spiritual treatment, online Istikhara and amulets.

“The suspect exploited the vulnerabilities of women by promising solutions to their problems. He would charge hefty sums of money and sexually exploit them. He also blackmailed them through obscene photos and videos,” a NCCIA official told Dawn.

He said a mobile phone recovered from the suspect contained ‘objectionable’ material related to women. “Initial probe reveals that some 400 people mostly women have fallen victim to this fake spiritual healer,” he said.

The device has been taken into custody for technical and forensic examination.

“The scope of the inquiry includes social media platforms, WhatsApp chats, images, videos, financial transactions, and other online activities linked to the suspect.”

The official further said the suspect would use Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and WhatsApp to contact women, gain their trust through claims of spiritual healing and Istikhara services, and subsequently harass and blackmail them.

NCCIA Punjab Director Muhammad Ali Waseem directed the investigators to identify potential victims, and accomplices who assisted the suspect.

“Strict action will be taken against the individuals involved in harassment, exploitation and blackmail of women,” Mr Waseem said and reiterated the NCCIA commitment to protecting citizens, particularly women, from online abuse and cybercrime, urging the public to report any such incidents through official channels.

Published in Dawn, June 17th, 2026