social Gossiper October 12, 2025 0 Comments

Gilgit Housewife Loses Rs500,000 in Online Scam as Digital Fraud Rises in Pakistan

A housewife from Gilgit, Shazia Nazir, lost her life savings of Rs500,000 after investing in a fake online investment app she discovered on Facebook. The platform promised daily profits and risk-free returns but disappeared overnight — taking her money with it.

“I thought it was genuine,” Shazia said. “The app looked professional and even showed live profit updates. Now it’s gone.”

Her story mirrors a growing wave of digital scams targeting citizens across Gilgit-Baltistan, where limited job opportunities and low digital literacy make people especially vulnerable.

The Rise of Digital Scams in Gilgit-Baltistan

One of the most widespread cases involved a fraudulent investment app called Whale International Binance, which duped thousands of people in Hunza, Skardu, and Gilgit. Locals say transactions worth crores of rupees were handled daily before the app abruptly vanished, locking all accounts and freezing withdrawals.

Many victims had invested savings meant for education or household expenses, while others borrowed money hoping for quick profits. “Everyone was doing it,” said a schoolteacher who lost Rs200,000. “It looked like a real investment platform.”

How These Scams Operate

Experts say such scams typically follow a pattern:

Launching flashy apps promoted on social media with fake success stories.
Allowing small withdrawals to build trust.
Blocking withdrawals once large investments are made.
Disappearing completely and reappearing under a new name.

These operations often use cryptocurrency systems or fake celebrity endorsements, making it nearly impossible for victims to recover their money.

Weak Oversight, Growing Risk

Pakistan’s expanding digital economy has outpaced its regulatory oversight. Financial analysts warn that the lack of coordination between the State Bank, SECP, and FIA’s Cyber Crime Wing allows scammers to exploit users easily.

How to Stay Safe

Authorities and experts recommend the following precautions:

Verify any investment app’s registration with SECP or other regulators.
Avoid promises of guaranteed or high daily profits.
Check reviews and test small withdrawals before investing more.
Report scams to the FIA Cyber Crime Wing.

A Wake-Up Call for Pakistan’s Digital Future

For Shazia and countless others, the experience is a harsh reminder that “easy money” often leads to loss. As Pakistan moves toward a cashless economy, digital literacy and stronger regulation are vital to protect citizens from online fraud.