Cyber Law: Online Fraud, Blackmail and Fake Accounts
A threatening message, a fake profile in your name, money vanished through an online scam, private photographs being used to blackmail you — cybercrime is real, it is common, and Pakistani law provides remedies for it. We help victims report these offences to the proper authorities, preserve the evidence that makes a case, and pursue the matter through to its conclusion.
Who this is for
This work is for anyone targeted online: victims of financial fraud through fake calls, messages or websites; people being blackmailed with private photographs or information; those harassed, stalked or defamed on social media; and anyone who discovers a fake account impersonating them or their business. It is also for families — parents who find their children targeted, or spouses caught in disputes where private material is being misused. If it happened on a phone or a screen, and it has harmed you, there is likely a legal remedy.
The process, step by step
1. Preserving the evidence
Digital evidence disappears quickly — messages are deleted, accounts are deactivated, posts are taken down. The first and most important step is to preserve everything: screenshots with dates and sender details visible, links to profiles and posts, call records, and bank transaction records where money is involved. Do not delete anything, and do not engage further with the offender. We advise you exactly what to save and how.
2. Reporting to the authorities
Cybercrime complaints in Pakistan are handled by the Federal Investigation Agency's cybercrime wing, which has the technical capacity to trace accounts, numbers and transactions. We prepare a clear, well-documented complaint setting out what happened, when, and what evidence exists — because a vague complaint is easily lost, while a precise one gets attention.
3. Investigation
Once the complaint is registered, the agency investigates: identifying the persons behind the accounts, tracing money trails, and collecting digital evidence in a form the courts accept. We follow up on the investigation, supply additional material where needed, and keep you informed of progress — investigations take time, and we make sure your matter is not forgotten.
4. Prosecution and trial
Where the investigation establishes an offence, the matter proceeds to trial before the competent court. We represent complainants through the trial process — presenting the evidence, supporting the prosecution's case, and ensuring the victim's voice is heard. Pakistani cybercrime law provides for significant penalties, including imprisonment and fines, for offences such as fraud, blackmail, harassment and unauthorised use of identity.
5. Protective measures
Alongside the criminal process, we advise on immediate protective steps: securing your accounts, reporting impersonating profiles to the platforms for removal, and — in blackmail cases — understanding that paying the blackmailer never ends the problem. The law is on the victim's side here; the sooner you act, the stronger your position.
Documents typically needed
- Screenshots of messages, posts, profiles or threats — with dates and sender details visible
- Links (URLs) to the offending accounts, pages or posts
- Call logs and phone numbers involved, where relevant
- Bank statements or transaction records, in fraud cases
- Your national identity card
- A written account of what happened, in chronological order
- Any previous complaints or reports you have already made
Common questions
Do not pay, and do not delete the messages — preserve everything exactly as it is. Blackmail is a serious offence, and the law protects victims; you will not get in trouble for reporting it. Contact us immediately so we can secure the evidence and file a proper complaint. Acting fast gives the authorities the best chance of tracing the offender.
Yes. Impersonation is an offence, and the fake account can be reported both to the platform and to the cybercrime authorities. We help you document the impersonation, file the complaint, and pursue the removal of the account — as well as action against whoever created it, where they can be identified.
It depends on the facts — how the money was taken, how quickly it is reported, and whether the trail can be followed. Prompt reporting to the cybercrime authorities gives the best chance, because fund trails go cold with time. We assess each case honestly and tell you what is realistically possible.
Complaints can be handled with appropriate sensitivity to the victim's privacy, and we discuss confidentiality with every client at the outset. Many victims — particularly in blackmail and harassment cases — worry about this, and it should never stop you from seeking help.
General legal information, not advice for your specific matter.