‘PUBG-linked’ bank robber arrested from home in Lahore

LAHORE: Police claim to have arrested a young man, Subhan, who looted Rs700,000 by following a "bank robbery task" from the PUBG game at Bhatta Chowk in Defence on Friday, October 3rd, 2026. DIG Operations Faisal Kamran informed media personnel that the robbery occurred around 9:30am near Bhatta Chowk. The masked suspect entered the bank premises, took the guard hostage, and fled with the cash within minutes.

The suspect's home was located a short drive from the bank, suggesting he was not a habitual criminal. Financial difficulties, according to the DIG, motivated the young UK-returnee to commit the crime after seeking help from the online game. Police formed special teams after receiving an emergency call about the robbery and traced the suspect using CCTV cameras and Safe City systems.

Subhan, who had returned to Pakistan from the UK on September 16, was living alone as his family was in the UK. He had been playing PUBG for years and received the robbery task via the game on the day of the incident. After looting the money, the suspect planned to flee to Islamabad with the stolen cash. Police recovered the weapon, cash, and a briefcase from him, noting that he had altered his vehicle's number plates.

The suspect reportedly spent his £1,200 savings during his time in Pakistan and demanded more money from his family before planning the robbery. Initial investigations suggest he was influenced by both online gaming and web series content.