Pakistan’s National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) has arrested Faheem Akram over an alleged Rs. 35 billion fraud involving fake US postage stamps sold to American customers.
NCCIA Additional Director Lahore Zone Atif Amir announced the arrest at a press conference in Lahore, saying the suspect ran a website called LabelsBank.com from August 2023 to September 2026.
Investigators said the website sold more than 5 million fake US postage stamps for $2 each. The alleged fraud is valued at approximately $126.8 million, equivalent to Rs. 35 billion at an exchange rate of Rs. 276 per dollar.
The investigation found that 16 bank accounts were allegedly used to handle the business’s transactions. These included accounts belonging to the suspect, his brother, wife, sister and maternal aunt.
The NCCIA registered the case under FIR No. 246/2026 and formed eight teams to investigate the case across Punjab, Islamabad and Sindh. The teams raided 35 locations and questioned 47 people.
Investigators also used artificial intelligence and other technology to analyze 122 call data records, 50 IMEI tracking reports and audio and video footage from 120 cameras. A 10-day tracking operation was conducted to locate the suspect.
Atif Amir has formed a joint investigation team to examine the sale of counterfeit stamps, trace financial transactions and identify other people who may have been involved.
The team includes Deputy Directors Waqas Saeed and Hassan, SHO Najam Bajwa, and Sub-Inspectors Nabeel and Tanveer.
US authorities had reportedly announced a $100,000 reward for information leading to the suspect’s arrest. The investigation is ongoing.
