LAHORE: Pakistan’s anti-cybercrime authorities claimed to have arrested 39 suspects, including a woman, after raiding an illegal call centre in Lahore where artificial intelligence (AI) tools were being allegedly used to create fake explicit images of persons who failed to repay loans.

The operation was carried out under the supervision of Cybercrime Additional Director Atif Ameer, after obtaining search warrants, on the premises of Talk Master Private Limited in GCP Society, arresting 38 men and one woman.

During the raid, investigators recovered 40 laptops and 41 mobile phones from the call centre.

Investigators say the centre was operating several instant loan apps, including Gurbat Fund, Jahez Fund, Cash Air, Credit Check and Credit Support.

According to investigators, the apps would gain access to borrowers’ photo galleries and contact lists when installed on their mobile phones.

If the borrowers failed to repay the loans on time, the call centre staff would allegedly use AI tools to alter their photographs and turn them into explicit images. The victims were then threatened that the images would be sent to their family members and other contacts if they did not make immediate payments.

The seized laptops and mobile phones have been sealed and will be examined by forensic experts, the officials say. Investigators are also looking into the amounts received by the suspects and whether the network had links outside Pakistan.

Published in Dawn, October 7th, 2026