Around a week after it was reported that a horrific child pornography ring operating in a remote village of Muzaffargarh was dismantled by Pakistani authorities, the National Cybercrime Investigation Authority (NCCIA) DG and the minister of state for interior disclosed details of how the gang was busted.
While holding a press conference in Islamabad, the officials said the gang, which produced and sold explicit videos of children on the dark web, was exposed following a tip-off from the Special Branch, leading to a major crackdown by the NCCIA.
Key details
German mastermind: The gang’s leader, a German resident, visited Pakistan for 20 days to establish a professional studio and train locals in producing exploitative content before leaving the country.
Local involvement: Five Pakistani accomplices were arrested, while Interpol has been contacted through the Foreign Office to apprehend the fugitive foreign suspect.
Victims: Around 50 children, aged six to 10, were subjected to abuse, with some parents allegedly complicit in the crime. Six rescued children have been handed over to the Child Protection Department.
Evidence seized: Authorities recovered 800 explicit videos from the gang, which were being sold on the dark web for $100 to $500 per video, depending on quality and content. All the videos produced in the studio were sent to the foreign leader.
How the gang was caught
The Special Branch alerted the NCCIA about suspicious activities linked to the German national. After surveillance and investigation, the cybercrime unit raided the studio in Muzaffargarh, arresting local members and seizing equipment.
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Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry confirmed that legal action is being taken against all involved, including family members who facilitated the abuse. "Unfortunately, it is sad that some people's families and parents were also involved in this heinous business, whether parents or anyone," he added.
Stricter punishments enforced
Pakistan has amended laws to impose harsher penalties for child abuse, with convicts facing 14 to 20 years in prison without bail or reconciliation options. The National Cyber Emergency Response Team has also urged parents to monitor children’s online activities closely.
On May 27, it was reported that the NCCIA Multan had busted an international child pornography network run from Muzaffargarh, arresting two suspects, and rescuing six children in a major operation.
Also Read: Global child porn ring busted in Muzaffargarh; foreign mastermind arrested
During raids, the NCCIA recovered electronic devices, including computers and mobile phones, along with hundreds of objectionable videos. The suspects had even set up a private studio to produce the illicit content.
