NEW DELHI: In a dramatic turn of events in Pakistanโs capital, a Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) raid on a suspected fraudulent call center operated by Chinese nationals in Islamabadโs Sector F-11 spiraled into chaos as local residents stormed the facility, looting laptops, televisions, and other electronic equipment.
The incident, which unfolded over the weekend, has raised serious questions about security measures and public conduct in the wake of law enforcement operations targeting international fraud schemes.
The FIA, in collaboration with intelligence agencies, launched the operation on Saturday, March 15, targeting a call center believed to be a hub for an elaborate credit card data theft scheme affecting victims globally. The facility, masquerading as a legitimate โSoftware Technology Park,โ was located in the upscale F-11 sector, known for its commercial vibrancy. According to FIA sources, the raid was prompted by credible intelligence linking the center to fraudulent calls traced back to the premises, implicating it in scams that exploited sensitive financial information.
During the operation, FIAโs Cyber Crime Cell detained over two dozen individuals, including foreign nationals suspected to be Chinese operatives overseeing the illicit activities. However, the situation quickly escalated beyond the agencyโs control.
As news of the raid spread, crowds gathered outside the building, and what began as a law enforcement action devolved into a free-for-all looting spree.
Videos circulating on social media captured dozens of young men breaking into the facility, emerging with armfuls of laptops, flat-screen TVs, and other technical equipmentโitems that were intended to be seized as evidence.
One widely shared clip showed a mob ransacking the call center while a handful of FIA personnel appeared overwhelmed, unable to secure the premises. โPakistanis have looted the Chinese call centers in Islamabadโฆ laptops, TVs & other items all gone,โ read a caption accompanying a video posted on X, which garnered significant attention. The footage depicted a chaotic scene, with some looters seen fleeing via emergency exits as others cheered them on. The irony of the timing was not lost on observers, as the incident occurred during the holy month of Ramadan, a period traditionally associated with restraint and charity.
FIA officials confirmed that while the raid successfully disrupted the scam operation, the subsequent looting compromised critical evidence. โThe detained individuals have been transferred to our Islamabad office for interrogation..,โ an FIA spokesperson stated.
The call centerโs operations reportedly involved sophisticated techniques to harvest credit card details, likely targeting international victims. Preliminary findings indicate that the facility employed both local and foreign staff, blending legitimate call center activities with fraudulent schemes to maintain a low profile.
The looted equipment, which included high-value electronics, was meant to provide forensic evidence to trace the scamโs reach and identify its mastermindsโevidence now scattered across Islamabadโs black market.
Social media reactions ranged from amusement to outrage. โBhook ka level check kren,โ quipped one X user, hinting at desperation driving the lootersโ actions, while others condemned the breakdown of law and order.
The incident has also fueled discussions about economic distress in Pakistan, with some linking the looting to rising unemployment and inflation, though no official data directly ties the perpetrators to such conditions.
This is not the first time a Chinese-operated facility in Islamabad has faced scrutiny. In September 2024, a separate call center in G-10/4, also owned by a Chinese national, was raided by armed men posing as FIA officials, who made off with 130 laptops and extorted cash from an employee. That incident, however, was a criminal heist rather than a public looting, highlighting a troubling pattern of targeting such establishments.
Authorities have vowed to pursue those responsible for the looting, though recovering the stolen items poses a significant challenge. The FIA has appealed to the public to return any equipment taken from the site, warning of legal consequences for those found in possession of the stolen goods. Meanwhile, the investigation into the call centerโs fraudulent activities continues, with officials determined to unravel the full extent of the international scam.
As Islamabad grapples with the fallout, the incident underscores the delicate balance between law enforcement efforts and maintaining public order. For now, the looted call center stands as a stark reminder of how quickly a crackdown on crime can spiral into an unintended spectacle of chaos.
