LAHORE: The National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) has reportedly arrested Imran Ashraf, an operations manager at Soneri Bank, over allegations of selling customers’ sensitive identity information to scammers.
According to information received about the case, Ashraf allegedly used his access to banking verification systems to obtain customers’ identity details. He is accused of selling this information to multiple scammers on a daily basis.
The alleged data sales may have exposed customers to financial fraud. Investigators are reportedly examining how the information was obtained and how criminals used it to create accounts and move money.
Manager Allegedly Sold 130 Identity Verification Records Daily
According to the available details, Ashraf allegedly sold around 130 identity verification records each day. These records reportedly contained sensitive information linked to customers’ national identity cards.
The information suggests that he charged Rs150 for each record. It also estimates his daily earnings at between Rs12,000 and Rs15,000 from the alleged activity.
Banks use identity verification services to confirm customer details during financial transactions and account opening. The alleged misuse of such access could expose confidential customer information to unauthorised individuals.
The data was reportedly focused on older customers who may have less familiarity with banking procedures. Scammers could potentially exploit their information to carry out fraudulent transactions or misuse their identities.
Stolen Data Allegedly Used to Create Fraudulent Accounts
The information further alleges that scammers used the data to create fake accounts and so-called parking accounts. Such accounts can be used to receive, hold, or transfer money linked to fraudulent activities.
Criminals may also use accounts opened with stolen or misused identity information to move funds between different accounts. This can make it harder to trace the original source of the money.
The alleged scheme raises concerns about insider access to customer records and the safeguards banks use to protect sensitive information. If established, the misuse of verification systems could put customers at risk of identity theft, financial scams, and money laundering.
However, the specific allegations against Ashraf, including the number of records sold and the amount earned, require confirmation from the NCCIA or other official sources. Further details about the investigation, potential charges, and the bank’s response have not yet been independently verified.
