NCCIA prevents Karachi girl exposed to dark web group from causing self-harm: official

Karachi - The National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) thwarted a teenager from Karachi from inflicting self-harm after being swayed by a dark web group, according to an official. The agency received a tip from a foreign crime investigation agency, which remained unnamed. Subsequently, they traced the suspect's internet protocol (IP) address.

The NCCIA was alerted that a dark web group influenced individuals to carry out violent acts. The girl reportedly engaged with the group via social media and was assigned tasks, including causing harm to her pet. The NCCIA managed to intervene before the girl could carry out her final task, which was self-harm. The devices used by the girl were seized for further examination.

The girl's parents informed the NCCIA about a change in their daughter’s behavior over the past three to four months; she became upset but did not share her struggles. Psychological counseling was provided to the girl to aid her recovery from trauma. The NCCIA is also investigating potential other victims and perpetrators involved in similar activities.

Another tip-off was received by the NCCIA earlier this month from a foreign agency about a teenager who was arrested on judicial remand for allegedly attempting to poison his father after seeking help from AI chatbots. The suspect, influenced by an OTT crime series, procured chemicals from Australia and Islamabad, setting up a small laboratory at his house to prepare poison.

He also used AI tools and online platforms to seek information about poisonous chemicals and discussed methods to poison his father with AI bots. The boy was arrested on September 23 after a raid conducted by the NCCIA following a tip-off from the US agency, the Federal Bureau of Investigation.