LAHORE: As the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) has arrested two and initiated the process for obtaining Interpol Red Notices for remaining four suspects of the “Tycoon2FA Cybercrime Network”, the Singapore Police have eulogised the agency for busting the gang.

Working in unison with Interpol and the Singapore Police Force, the NCCIA recently dismantled a foreign cybercrime syndicate known as “Tycoon2FA”, a phishing-as-a-service network believed to have enabled cybercriminals to target victims across multiple countries, including Pakistan and Singapore.

The NCCIA arrested two alleged key members - Saad Afridi and Abdaal Rabbani - of this network accused of operating a sophisticated phishing infrastructure used to steal banking credentials and other sensitive data from victims in Pakistan and abroad. The other members of the gang - Rao Abid Ali, Rao Hasnain Khawar, Rao Abdullah and Rao Abdur Rehman - managed to flee to the UAE.

“We have initiated the process for obtaining their red warrants to bring them back,” NCCIA Punjab chief Muhammad Ali Waseem told Dawn on Tuesday.

Singapore Police lauds agency’s role in busting network

He said the suspects had developed and operated Tycoon2FA, a phishing platform comprising more than 96,000 fake applications, accounts and malicious links used by cybercriminals in Pakistan, North and South America, Central Asia and Europe.

“The criminal group allegedly provided phishing software, infrastructure, and cyber tools to organised cybercrime networks worldwide. Investigators found that the syndicate used fake online identities, encrypted communication channels, and advanced digital infrastructure to facilitate large-scale phishing campaigns aimed at stealing sensitive personal and financial information from victims across several jurisdictions,” he said.

The members of the syndicate, Mr Waseem said, impersonated officers of the Singapore Police Force during online operations. They used to exploit public trust in law-enforcement institutions to deceive victims and enhance the credibility of their phishing campaigns.

The Singapore Police had flagged the NCCIA informing that members of the international syndicate were operating from Pakistan through their operatives.

Acting on it, NCCIA launched an investigation, tracing the network’s activities and identifying two key operatives based in Islamabad. The operation was led by Director General NCCIA Syed Khurram Ali Shah and Muhammad Ali Wasim.

“The Singapore Police Force has formally acknowledged and appreciated the cooperation extended by the NCCIA during the investigation,” Mr Waseem said.

Federal Interior Minister Interior Mohsin Naqvi has congratulated the NCCIA on the successful operation.

Published in Dawn, August 5th, 2026