Is Your Call Center Legal? NCCIA Reveals Three Key Requirements

Webdesk-Shiza Iqbal

The National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) has outlined the legal requirements for operating call centers in Pakistan, warning that businesses must not only obtain proper registrations but also ensure their activities comply with the law.

Superintendent of Police (SP) Atif Ameer, Additional Director of the NCCIA Lahore Zone, explained the regulations during a recent press conference following a series of operations against illegal call centers and organized cybercrime networks.

The agency has intensified its crackdown on cybercriminal activities across major Pakistani cities, targeting businesses allegedly involved in online scams and financial fraud. During recent operations led by Atif Ameer, authorities reportedly dismantled several illegal call centers and arrested suspects connected to cybercrime activities.

Among the cases highlighted was the arrest of a suspect allegedly involved in a $126 million fraud scheme related to United States postage stamps.

Addressing concerns about the legal status of call centers, Atif Ameer explained that businesses must complete registrations with three key government institutions before operating legally.

These include the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP), the Pakistan Software Export Board (PSEB), and the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR).

He emphasized that these registrations are important for establishing a legitimate business. However, obtaining the necessary documentation does not automatically make every activity conducted by a registered company lawful.

According to Atif Ameer, some call centers obtain official registrations for legitimate services but later become involved in fraudulent operations unrelated to their declared business activities.

To explain the issue, he referred to a recent NCCIA operation involving a call center with approximately 200 employees.

The company had reportedly completed its registrations with the SECP, PSEB, and FBR and was officially registered to provide medical billing services.

However, investigators allegedly discovered that the business was not carrying out its registered medical billing operations. Instead, the facility was reportedly being used for organized scams and fraudulent activ

The case highlighted how businesses can misuse legitimate registrations to conceal illegal operations.

Atif Ameer stressed that authorities would examine not only the registration status of call centers but also the nature of their actual business activities.

The NCCIA’s clarification comes amid growing concerns about cybercrime, online financial scams, and the misuse of technology-based businesses for fraudulent purposes.

The agency’s latest actions underline the importance of transparency and accountability within Pakistan’s expanding call center industry.

For legitimate business owners, the message is clear: proper registration is essential, but compliance with the law must continue throughout business operations.

The NCCIA has indicated that its enforcement efforts will continue against call centers found engaging in illegal activities, regardless of whether they possess official business registrations.