FIA received nearly 390,000 cases relating to cybercrime in the past three years

Federal Investigation Agency receives 386602 cybercrime complaints over last three years The cybercrime complaints to the Federal Investigation Agency have reached an astonishing 386602 during the last three years, which clearly shows that the digitals offenses in Pakistan are on a rise. According to the official data, in 2021, FIA Cyber Crime Wing has recorded 115868 complaints, which later went up by 17 percent in 2022 at 136024. But the digitals complaints came down by 1 percent in 2023 and reached at 134710.

Throughout this period, the FIA initiated 48,158 inquires into cases of cybercrime. While in 2021 it handled 15,766 inquiries, the same figure narrowed by 9 percent to 14,380 in 2022. Then it made a stunning comeback in 2023 when the number of inquiries shot up by 25 percent to 18,012.

The FIA also saw 4,067 First Information Reports (FIRs) between the year 2021 and 2023. In 2021, 1,223 FIRs were filed, rising to 1,469 in the year 2022 at 20 percent. However, in 2023, the number of FIRs slightly declined to 1,375 and 6 percent down.

Conviction rates for cybercrime matters remained steadily on the rise over three years with 178 convictions. The FIA obtained 38 convictions in 2021, its total rising to 48 convictions in 2022-the growth a staggering increase of 26 percent. The growth was the most spectacular in 2023 as it recorded a jump of 92 percent to 92 total.

On the flip side of the same coin, acquittals also recorded vast fluctuations, standing at 367 throughout the period. In 2021, acquittals had been at 88; however, in 2022, the figure had surged by 101% to 177, only to drop by 42% to 102 acquittals in 2023.

In this regard, FIA has taken a two-pronged strategy. On one hand, it would conduct countrywide awareness campaigns on social media, workshops, and seminars. On the other hand, it would ensure close coordination with key stakeholders, such as the PTA, telecom operators, and banks, to ensure timely detection and prosecution of cybercriminals.