NCCIA warns youth against joining illegal call centres for high salaries

The National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) says illegal call centres, online betting operators and international fraud networks are exploiting weaknesses in the system to collect and transfer illegal money. The agency has also urged parents and job seekers to check the background of companies before accepting employment.

Fake companies used to transfer illegal money

Speaking at a press conference, NCCIA Islamabad-Rawalpindi Additional Director Muhammad Shoaib Khan explained how these networks operate. He said fake companies are registered through weak verification systems and their bank accounts are later used for suspicious financial activities.

According to Khan, these accounts are connected to loan applications, online betting websites and gaming platforms to receive and transfer illegal funds. He called for stricter company registration rules and better checks before banks open accounts for businesses.

The officer said the agency had identified several weaknesses during investigations and questioning of suspects. It is preparing recommendations to help relevant institutions improve their verification systems.

Young job seekers warned about attractive salaries

The main purpose of the press conference was to warn educated young people, especially university students, against accepting jobs at illegal call centres. Khan said many young people are attracted by salaries that are higher than normal, but they may unknowingly become part of criminal activities.

He advised people applying for call centre jobs to check the company’s registration and understand what kind of work they will be expected to perform. He also urged parents to make sure their children are not working for businesses involved in scams, fraud or other illegal activities.

“Ask them what documents the company has, what registration it operates under, which company they work for, which company is providing the loans, where the money is coming from and who is putting money into these applications,” Khan said.

Criminal cases can damage future careers

Khan warned that working for an illegal call centre could create serious problems for young employees if they become involved in a criminal investigation. He said even a first information report (FIR) could affect their future opportunities.

“If your son or daughter is arrested in such an operation, the FIR (first information report) becomes part of their record. Tomorrow, when they need a character certificate or apply for a government job, that record can affect them,” the NCCIA officer warned.

He said young people must not accept a job simply because it offers an attractive salary. They should first confirm whether the company is legally registered and whether its business activities are genuine.

How illegal call centres use banking systems

The additional director explained that some criminal networks misuse merchant accounts and bank accounts opened in the names of registered companies. Weak checks during company registration and the Know Your Customer (KYC) process can make it easier for such businesses to operate.

“After the company has been registered, the bank opens an account for it. The operators then take that company’s bank account and integrate it with their online betting or gaming portal,” Khan said.

He added that the NCCIA is working with relevant institutions to improve their checking procedures. The agency particularly wants to address cases where companies registered under a single person's name are later used to support illegal financial operations.

The NCCIA warning highlights the risks behind some attractive job offers in the call centre industry. Young people may focus on high salaries without checking whether the employer is involved in legal business activities.

A criminal case can create problems for a person's career and future employment. Checking company documents, registration and the nature of the work before joining can help young job seekers avoid serious trouble.

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