Pakistani Users Are at Risk of Blackmail Through Phishing Nude Threats in a Loan App Scam
Thousands of Pakistani users are now at risk of extortion, blackmail, and online harassment due to an increase in cybercrime involving fraudulent loan apps. According to information obtained by HackTech News, scammers are threatening users with manipulated nude photos if they don’t pay arbitrary “loan dues” using personal information obtained through what appear to be trustworthy lending platforms. Apps that promise quick cash without requiring official verification have been downloaded by victims. The apps have access to social media, galleries, and contact lists after they are installed. The con artists then turn victims’ private photos into pornographic pictures and threaten to share the content unless money is received right away.
Many victims claim that they have never even used the app to borrow money. Frequently, it was sufficient to simply download the app and accept its permissions. Threats were sent to some within hours of installation. Scammers use digital coercion and social shame to force users to comply by claiming affiliation with loan recovery agents. The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) of Pakistan has recognized the increase in these types of cases. A senior FIA official confirmed that several digital loan platforms that operate without licenses or regulatory oversight are the subject of ongoing investigations. The organization advises users to stay away from apps that ask for needless access to their messaging, storage, and contact information.
Experts in cybersecurity caution that threats using altered images are a component of a larger psychological manipulation tactic. Criminals pressure victims to make quick, silent payments by taking advantage of the cultural stigma associated with nudity and honor. To avoid escalation, experts advise reporting such threats right away and avoiding contact with the scammers. This troubling trend emphasizes the urgent need for updates to Pakistan’s cyber laws, regulatory crackdowns on loan apps that aren’t verified, and increased digital awareness. To protect their digital identities, citizens are urged to use official financial platforms and exercise caution when granting app permissions until more stringent enforcement measures are put in place.
