ISLAMABAD: Benzair Income Support Programme (BISP) Chairperson Marvi Memon Monday said that the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) is monitoring the fake message senders of BISP and a case has also been registered against the people involved in this scam.
Talking to APP, she said those involved in this fraud through sending fake messages to people across the country on behalf of the BISP will face investigation of FIA as “we have registered this complaint”.
For last few years, people were sent text messages and calls on their cell phones saying that they have been granted some amount on behalf of BISP posing them as they were the officials of BISP and people should contact them.
In most cases, those who were unaware of the fraud get involved in their fake messages as the criminals send computer-generated messages to dozens of people each day and different groups were involved in the illegal business across the country.
Since its inception, BISP has grown rapidly; it is now the one of the largest social safety net programmes in Pakistan’s history. BISP is also creating awareness among the general public through Anti-Fraud Material to save beneficiaries from fraud.
This public awareness campaign has been designed to be placed at its tehsil offices. It is aimed at saving beneficiaries from fraudulent elements. These fraudulent elements try to take money from simple beneficiaries for helping in the issuance of BISP cards or withdrawal of their cash grants.
The message on these banners warns the beneficiaries about these elements and asks them to register their complaints on the BISP Hotline number 0800-26477. Fake messages luring beneficiaries BISP is receiving number of complaints from public being lured through fake calls/SMS by unscrupulous elements trying to hoodwink innocent people misinforming them of having been selected for BISP assistance.
People have been asked to call on a given number in order to receive an amount of Rs 25,000 or more, the campaign says. BISP has launched public service and SMS campaigns through electronic and other mediums to create awareness on the subject. Fraudulent callers’ numbers are being blocked and law enforcement agencies are being requested to initiate action against them.
