ISLAMABAD (Web Desk) — Director General of the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA), Khurram Ali, said that cases of WhatsApp and bank account hacking have increased in Pakistan, but a comprehensive action plan has been prepared to address the issue.
Khurram Ali said that an online helpline is being established to guide users in recovering hacked WhatsApp accounts, while a public awareness campaign in local languages will also be launched in collaboration with Meta.
He advised citizens to enable two-step verification on their WhatsApp accounts and never share the One-Time Password (OTP) or any confidential code received on their phones with anyone, as sharing an OTP is the leading cause of WhatsApp account hacking.
The NCCIA Director General said that although some WhatsApp hacking cases have declined, cybercriminals are adopting new methods, while the growing use of the internet and mobile phones has also led to an increase in online fraud.
He added that, through international cooperation, several cybercrime groups operating in Pakistan have already been arrested, while work is also underway on modern technology to prevent the misuse of OTPs.
Khurram Ali urged the public to adopt all available security measures to protect their WhatsApp and bank accounts and stay safe from cyber fraud.