Foreign nationals are allegedly involved in illegal call-center fraud in Pakistan, while a separate investigation has uncovered the alleged sale of sensitive data belonging to senior government officials abroad.

NCCIA officials told the Senate IT committee that Chinese, Vietnamese, Myanmar and other foreign nationals were involved in fraudulent call-center activities. Some of the networks were controlled or significantly owned by foreigners, while Pakistani citizens were also employed.

Officials said the operations primarily targeted people outside Pakistan and that proceeds from some fraudulent activities were moved overseas through cryptocurrency.

The committee was separately briefed about a gang accused of selling sensitive information about senior government officials to foreign buyers.

The revelations come days after the NCCIA detained 212 people during raids on three alleged illegal call centers in Islamabad. The operation involved Pakistani and Chinese nationals and resulted in hundreds of phones, computers and other devices being seized.

Authorities said investigations into the networks are continuing.