Two Members of the National Assembly and a Karachi businessman have lost millions of rupees in fraud cases built on one simple trick: fake duplicate SIM cards. The latest SIM fraud Pakistan cases, reported on October 19, 2026, have exposed serious gaps in how SIMs are issued and how banks protect accounts.
What Happened
MQM MNA Farhan Chishti discovered on January 12 that his mobile connection had stopped working — a duplicate SIM had been issued against his number in Karachi’s Malir area, without his knowledge. The fraudster used the number to register him for online banking, raised his withdrawal limit, and transferred Rs. 1.5 million to other accounts.
MNA Shaharyar Mahar lost Rs. 2 million in a separate but similar incident.
Karachi businessman Sunny Kumar lost Rs. 8.5 million after a duplicate SIM was issued in his name on September 29, 2025, at a retail outlet in Dhabeji, Thatta. His case also revealed a bank insider: a branch service officer in Mardan had accessed his account before the SIM was issued — the same officer had accessed around 30 accounts, with suspected fraud of about Rs. 25 million.
SIM Fraud Pakistan: How the Scam Works
The pattern is always similar:
- Duplicate SIM issued: criminals get a replacement SIM for your number using stolen or fake biometric verification
- Your real SIM dies: the moment the duplicate activates, your original SIM stops working — this is the first warning sign
- OTP interception: with your number in their hands, fraudsters receive your bank’s one-time passwords
- Account drained: they register for online banking, raise limits, and transfer money out
The PTA’s Response
The PTA fined the cellular operator Rs. 77.8 million in each case, holding it responsible for the SIM issuance. The operator argued a third party had deceived the retailer, but the PTA rejected this, citing Regulation 4(4) — under which any SIM sold by any means is the operator’s sole responsibility.
How to Protect Yourself
- If your SIM suddenly stops working, treat it as an emergency — contact your operator immediately and check your bank accounts
- Never share OTPs with anyone, for any reason
- Set low transaction limits on online banking and require branch visits for changes
- Enable transaction alerts (SMS and email) on every bank account
- Do not give fingerprints casually at shops or for unverified purposes
- Check your SIMs: dial *668# to see how many SIMs are registered on your CNIC — cancel any you do not recognise
- Report immediately to your bank, the operator, and the NCCIA if you suspect fraud
FAQs
What is SIM fraud?
Criminals issue a duplicate SIM of your number, intercept your OTPs, and use them to access and drain your bank accounts — the typical SIM fraud Pakistan scam.
How do I know if I am a victim?
The biggest red flag: your SIM suddenly stops working without explanation. Contact your operator at once.
Can I check how many SIMs are on my CNIC?
Yes — dial your operator’s verification code (e.g. *668#) to list SIMs registered against your CNIC and block unknown ones.
What did the PTA do in these cases?
It fined the cellular operator Rs. 77.8 million per case, ruling that the operator is solely responsible for every SIM sold.
Did the victims get their money back?
Kumar recovered his money from the bank. Action against the banks was otherwise limited to orders to return the victims’ funds.
Conclusion
If it can happen to two MNAs, it can happen to anyone. These SIM fraud Pakistan cases show that fraudsters exploit trust — in biometric checks, in bank procedures, in the idea that your number is yours. Guard your fingerprints, watch for a dead SIM, keep banking limits tight, and report anything suspicious immediately.
Sources: ProPakistani (19 Oct 2026), Geo News, The News, Dialogue Pakistan, Daily Pakistan (Oct 2026).
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