Online Fraud Reporting Guide (Pakistan)
If someone has scammed you online — through a fake website, a WhatsApp message, a bank call, or a phishing link — the first hours matter most. This guide shows you where to report in Pakistan, what evidence to preserve, and the warning signs to watch for next time.
Where to report online fraud in Pakistan
1. FIA Cybercrime Reporting Centre (main route)
- File a complaint on the FIA Cybercrime Reporting Centre online complaint portal (run by the National Cybercrime Investigation Agency).
- Call the FIA cybercrime helpline: 1991.
- You can also visit the nearest FIA cybercrime reporting centre in person with your evidence.
2. PTA complaint system (phone and SMS fraud)
- If the fraud came through a phone call, SMS, or a Pakistani mobile number, also file a complaint with the PTA complaint portal.
- PTA also runs helpline 0800-25625 for consumer complaints.
- Report spam SMS to 8866 so the number can be traced and blocked.
3. Your bank (money route)
- Call your bank helpline immediately and ask them to block your card or freeze the transfer.
- Ask for a transaction dispute or chargeback if money left your card or account. Every bank has a dispute window, so do not wait.
- Note the complaint or reference number the bank gives you.
Evidence to preserve
Do not delete anything. Save all of the following before you report:
- Screenshots of the full chat, the fraudster profile, the fake website, and any ad you clicked.
- Transaction IDs from bank SMS alerts, email receipts, or the banking app.
- Phone numbers used for calls or SMS, and the exact time of each call.
- Chat history — export or screenshot the whole conversation, not just the last messages.
- Bank alerts — the debit or credit SMS and email messages.
- Payment receipts — Easypaisa, JazzCash, or bank transfer screenshots showing the receiver details.
- Email headers if the fraud came by email (in Gmail: open the message, click the three dots, then Show original).
Keep everything in one folder on your phone or computer, with the date and amount written on each file.
My incident checklist
Tick each step as you complete it. Your progress is saved on this device only.
Scam warning signs
- Urgency and fear: messages like your account will be blocked in 10 minutes if you do not act now.
- OTP requests: no real bank ever asks for your OTP, PIN, or password by call or message.
- Too-good offers: prizes, lucky draws, cheap plots, or easy loans that ask for advance payment first.
- Strange links: links that look like a bank site but have a misspelled or odd domain name.
- Payment pressure: demands to send money by Easypaisa or JazzCash to a personal number for an official-looking deal.
- New contact, quick trust: a stranger who befriends you fast and then mentions an investment or an emergency.
A note about recovery
Be honest with yourself: reporting a fraud does not guarantee that your money comes back. Reports help the authorities track and stop fraudsters, and a fast bank dispute improves your chances, but recovery is never certain. Do not pay anyone who promises to recover your money — that is usually a second scam.
How to use
- Stop and save: do not delete anything. Save the evidence listed in the Evidence section first.
- Call your bank: report the transaction and get a dispute reference number.
- Report to FIA: file a complaint on the cybercrime portal or call 1991 with your evidence ready.
- Report to PTA: for phone or SMS fraud, file a PTA complaint and forward spam to 8866.
- Track progress: tick the items in the Incident checklist above until all four are done.