How to file a cyber crime complaint in Pakistan: NCCIA has replaced the FIA Cyber Crime Wing

Who handles cyber crime now: NCCIA

The Prevention of Electronic Crimes (Amendment) Act, 2025 rewrote section 29 of PECA. It sets up the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency "for inquiry into, investigation and prosecution of the offences specified under this Act", headed by a Director General.

Once NCCIA was set up, the Cyber Crime Wing of the Federal Investigation Agency ceased to exist, and its staff, cases, inquiries and investigations moved to NCCIA. Old pages that tell you to complain to the FIA cyber wing are out of date.

Only an authorized NCCIA officer can investigate a PECA offence (section 30). The government can also form joint teams of NCCIA and other agencies.

“After establishment of the NCCIA, the Cyber Crime Wing of the Federal Investigation Agency shall cease to exist”

Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act, 2016 · Section 29, Investigation agency

“Only an authorized officer of the investigation agency shall have the powers to investigate an offence under this Act”

Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act, 2016 · Section 30, Power to investigate

Which online acts are crimes under PECA

• Online fraud (section 14)Using a device, data or an information system, or deceiving someone, for wrongful gain in a way likely to cause harm. Up to two years, or a fine up to ten million rupees, or both.
• Using someone's identity information (section 16)Obtaining, selling, keeping or using another person's identity information without authorization, such as running a fake account in their name. Up to three years, or a fine up to five million rupees, or both.
• Blackmail with sexual images, morphed photos (section 21)Showing or sending a sexually explicit image or video of a person, or a face put onto one, or threatening with it, to harm, take revenge or blackmail. Up to five years, or a fine up to five million rupees, or both; up to seven years if the victim is a minor.
• Cyber stalking (section 24)Repeatedly contacting someone online despite clear disinterest, monitoring their messages, spying in a way that causes fear, or sharing their photo or video without consent to harm them. Up to three years, or a fine up to one million rupees, or both.

“Whoever with the intent for wrongful gain interferes with or uses any information system, device or data or induces any person to enter into a relationship or deceives any person, which act or omission is likely to cause damage or harm to that person or any other person”

Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act, 2016 · Section 14, Electronic fraud

How to file a cyber crime complaint, step by step

• Step 1: Save the evidence firstTake screenshots showing the account name, profile link, phone number, messages and dates. For fraud, keep the transaction ID, bank or wallet details and receipts. Do not delete the chat.
• Step 2: Complain to NCCIA in writingPECA treats an inquiry as one conducted on "a complaint made in writing" (section 2). Use NCCIA's official online complaint portal (complaint.nccia.gov.pk) or an NCCIA office. A victim, or anyone with substantial reasons to believe an offence was committed, can complain.
• Step 3: Ask for the content to be removedFor a fake account, blackmail images or stalking content, the victim (or a minor's guardian) can apply to the Authority for removal or blocking (sections 16(2), 21(3) and 24(3)). Since 2025 the Authority is the Social Media Protection and Regulatory Authority. Also report the content to the platform itself.
• Step 4: For fraud, tell your bank or wallet at onceA quick report can help stop money moving further. Then add the bank's reference number to your NCCIA complaint.
• Step 5: Follow up with your complaint numberKeep the complaint number and every reply. If you are asked to come in, take your CNIC and your evidence.

“Any aggrieved person or his guardian, where such person is a minor, may apply to the Authority for removal, destruction of or blocking access to such information referred to in sub-section (1)”

Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act, 2016 · Section 21, Offences against modesty of a natural person and minor

Bailable or not? What happens after the complaint

Under section 43, most PECA offences are non-cognizable, bailable and compoundable, which means the complaint can be settled between the parties. But offences under sections 10, 13, 14, 20, 21, 22 and 26A are non-bailable, non-compoundable and cognizable by the investigation agency. Online fraud (section 14) and image-based blackmail (section 21) are in that serious group.

NCCIA officers have the powers of police officers of equal rank for inquiry and investigation, and follow the Code of Criminal Procedure where PECA does not say otherwise (section 29(4) and (6)).

What this does not mean

• This guide does not list helpline numbers or office addresses; take those from NCCIA's official website, because they change and fake numbers circulate.
• Complaining does not guarantee a case or an arrest; NCCIA first inquires into the complaint.
• Harassment at work or in person has other laws too; this guide covers online offences under PECA.

Questions people ask

Sources

• Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act, 2016 · Section 29
  Investigation agency Pakistan Code
• Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act, 2016 · Section 30
  Power to investigate Pakistan Code
• Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act, 2016 · Section 14
  Electronic fraud Pakistan Code
• Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act, 2016 · Section 21
  Offences against modesty of a natural person and minor Pakistan Code
• Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act, 2016 · Section 43
  Offences to be compoundable and non-cognizable Pakistan Code

Every quote and section above is traced to the full judgment or statute text by an automatic check that runs on every update.