Pakistan’s National Database and Registration Authority has issued a warning to citizens about increasing fraud attempts involving fake websites and impersonation scams targeting CNIC holders, urging vigilance and proper security measures.
Pakistan’s National Database and Registration Authority has urged citizens to treat their Computerised National Identity Cards as sensitive documents and to be wary of increasingly common fraud attempts built around identity theft. In a public advisory shared on social media on August 10, the authority said people should never hand over a CNIC as collateral and should not accept another person’s card as security for any transaction. It also warned that criminals are trying to extract private information through fake calls, text messages and social media messages.
The warning comes amid a wider pattern of impersonation scams targeting NADRA users. The Express Tribune reported that the authority recently flagged a bogus website pretending to be an official visa portal, while other reports have described fake platforms using names such as “NADRA Card Centre” to lure overseas Pakistanis, including those in the United Kingdom, into sharing personal details. NADRA has said such sites are not connected to the agency and that citizens should only use official government web addresses ending in “.gov.pk”.
The authority also told the public to limit the circulation of photocopies of identity cards. Where copying cannot be avoided, NADRA advised people to write the purpose on the copy and destroy it once it is no longer needed. The message reflects a broader concern that routine sharing of CNIC data can give fraudsters the material they need for identity theft, financial scams or other misuse.
NADRA said people who need guidance or want to report suspicious activity can contact its helpline at 1777. Its warning also fits a wider alert from the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority, which has cautioned that scammers increasingly use spoofed numbers and fake helplines to appear legitimate before demanding CNIC details, passwords or one-time passcodes. Together, the alerts underline how official-looking calls and websites are being used to exploit public trust.
Disclaimer: This article is intended to inform and educate, not to recommend or endorse any financial product, investment or strategy. Please consider your own financial circumstances and seek professional advice where appropriate before making financial decisions.
