The Federal Investigation Agency’s (FIA) Cybercrime Wing has reported that over 1,400 WhatsApp accounts have been hacked in recent months, with the actual number likely higher due to underreporting. Since July 1, 1,426 complaints have been officially filed, highlighting the growing threat of cybercrime in Pakistan.
According to FIA data, of the 1,426 registered cases, 549 accounts have been successfully restored. The agency is actively processing 877 complaints, with 817 still undergoing verification. Twenty unresolved cases have been escalated to formal inquiries.
The details of these hacked accounts have been submitted to the Senate, underscoring the seriousness of the issue. Additionally, the FIA noted that there are 40 complaints for which no response or progress report has been received.
In response to the rising number of incidents, the FIA Cybercrime Wing has urged users to adopt stronger security practices to protect their accounts. This includes enabling two-factor authentication and being vigilant about suspicious messages and links.
The increase in hacked accounts comes amid broader concerns about cybersecurity in Pakistan, as the government continues to refine its approach to combating cybercrime.
