FIA arrests nine for blackmailing citizens through loan offering mobile applications

F.P. Report

ISLAMABAD: The Cybercrime Wing of the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) on Friday captured nine suspects and booked 19 others for allegedly blackmailing citizens through loan offering mobile applications (apps).

The agency launched investigation against mobile phone applications (apps) offering online loans after an unemployed man committed suicide on failing to pay interest on a loan he took from an app.

It is reported that the man, who lived in Rawalpindi, was allegedly blackmailed by the operator of the online app.

FIA Director General (DG) Mohsin Hasan Butt took notice of the incident and ordered the Cybercrime Wing to investigate and arrest the accused involved in the case.

The FIA team raided G-8 sector and sealed two offices, took into custody laptops and other material and decided to block its online advertisement.

The FIA has also reportedly sought details of the app company from the Security Exchange Commission about the app company.

An FIA official said the Cybercrime Circle had already started an investigation on the request of the relatives of the victim.

The FIA is also collecting the record of the calls and emails sent by the app company to the victim.