ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has blocked 46 gambling and forex applications across the country on the recommendation of the National Cybercrime Investigation Agency (NCCIA).
An NCCIA spokesperson stated that the banned apps included illegal online gambling services and unregulated forex trading platforms that were siphoning off billions of rupees from unsuspecting users.
Apps linked to data theft
Authorities revealed that many of these applications were not only promoting unlawful gambling but also stealing sensitive personal information, including mobile numbers and SIM data. The NCCIA stressed that such platforms posed serious threats to citizens’ privacy and financial security.
“The temptation of quick money through gambling and forex scams has deceived thousands of young people,” the spokesperson warned, adding that similar fraudulent apps are still targeting Pakistani users online.
The crackdown highlights ongoing efforts by PTA and cybercrime authorities against unregulated digital platforms that exploit loopholes to carry out financial scams. Officials have urged the public to stay vigilant and avoid using unverified forex or investment applications.
