The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has blocked 604 URLs associated with online financial scams, following complaints from major stakeholders such as the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) and the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP). These reports were submitted through PTA’s Electronic Portal (E-Portal) and formal communication channels.
The E-Portal, specifically designed for government entities including law enforcement agencies, regulators, and ministries, plays a pivotal role in identifying and addressing digital fraud.
The PTA acknowledged the widespread presence of fake profiles on social media platforms used to carry out financial scams. These fraudulent accounts often deceive individuals into transferring money to fake bank accounts. Their rapid creation and disappearance pose significant challenges in detection and enforcement.
In addition to blocking URLs, the PTA has initiated public awareness campaigns to educate users about identifying and avoiding online scams. These efforts aim to minimize victimization and bolster digital safety.
The authority has also been in discussions with major social media companies to implement stricter measures, including permanently blocking repeat offenders' accounts. However, the PTA highlighted limitations due to factors such as anonymization technologies, VPN usage, fake digital identities, and jurisdictional barriers that make tracking and prosecution difficult.