The National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) intervened to prevent a Karachi girl from harming herself after she was allegedly influenced by a group operating on the dark web, an official said.
NCCIA Karachi Additional Director Tariq Nawaz said the agency launched an investigation after receiving information from a foreign law enforcement agency, whose name was not disclosed. The agency also received an email containing relevant information and subsequently traced the user’s internet protocol (IP) address.
Speaking on Geo News programme Aaj Shahzeb Khanzada Kay Saath, Nawaz said the NCCIA had been alerted to a group allegedly operating on the dark web and influencing individuals to engage in violent activities.
According to the official, investigators traced the girl and discovered that she had initially encountered the group through social media before communicating with its members through a messaging application. The group allegedly assigned her various tasks, including harming her pet.
Nawaz said the agency located the girl before she could carry out another assigned task involving self-harm. Her electronic devices have been examined and taken into custody for further investigation.
The official added that the girl’s parents informed investigators that her behaviour had changed over the previous three to four months. She had reportedly remained distressed but did not disclose the reasons for her condition despite repeated attempts by her parents to find out whether she was experiencing any difficulties.
Nawaz said the investigation was ongoing, with the agency working to identify other potential victims and individuals involved in similar activities. He added that psychological counselling had been provided to the girl to help her recover from the trauma.
Earlier this month, the NCCIA received another tip-off from a foreign law enforcement agency concerning a separate case involving a teenager accused of attempting to poison his father after seeking information from artificial intelligence (AI) chatbots.
The teenager, who was reportedly influenced by an online crime series, allegedly obtained chemical substances from Australia and Islamabad and established a small laboratory at his residence to prepare poison. Investigators said he had also used AI tools and online platforms to obtain information about poisonous chemicals and discuss ways to poison his father.
Following information provided by the US Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the NCCIA raided the teenager’s residence and arrested him on September 23. He was subsequently sent to jail on judicial remand in connection with the case.
