A dark web group that allegedly pushed a teenage girl in Karachi towards self-harm is now under investigation after the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) traced and reached her before the harm occurred, an official told Dawn on Friday, October 23. The agency says it is also working to identify other possible victims and the people behind the group.
How the Agency Traced the Case
NCCIA Karachi Additional Director Tariq Nawaz said the operation began when the agency received a lead from a foreign crime investigation agency, which he did not name. The foreign agency also shared an email address, and the NCCIA then tracked the relevant user’s internet protocol (IP) address.
Speaking separately on Geo News, Mr. Nawaz said the NCCIA had been told that a group operating on the dark web was influencing people to commit violent acts. Once investigators located the affected girl, he said, they found during the probe that she had been exposed to the group through social media.
How the Dark Web Group Reached the Teenager
According to Mr. Nawaz, the girl then engaged with the group on a messaging application, where she was assigned a series of tasks. The NCCIA, he said, was able to trace her before she could complete the next task, which would have involved causing herself harm. The agency has not publicly described the nature of the earlier tasks beyond saying they were harmful, and the details of the group’s methods have not been disclosed.
The devices used by the girl have been analysed and taken into custody for further examination, Mr. Nawaz said.
Warning Signs Noticed by the Family
Mr. Nawaz told Dawn that the girl’s parents informed investigators that her behaviour had changed over the previous three or four months. She remained upset, they said, but did not reveal anything even when they urged her to share whether she was facing problems. The account illustrates how young people drawn into harmful online communities can withdraw from family members, and how difficult the signs can be to read.
Support for the Girl
The NCCIA official said the girl has been given psychological counselling to help her recover from trauma. The agency has not shared details about her condition, her identity or her current situation, which is consistent with standard practice when minors are involved. Dawn’s report did not state whether any charges have been brought, and the investigation remains open.
Investigation Into the Dark Web Group Continues
Mr. Nawaz said the investigation is ongoing and that the NCCIA is trying to ascertain other possible victims and perpetrators involved in similar activities. It is not clear from the report whether the group has operated in other parts of Pakistan or elsewhere, or how many people it may have contacted. Those questions are likely to shape the next phase of the inquiry, particularly given that the initial tip came from abroad.
A Pattern of Foreign Tip-Offs
The case follows another recent NCCIA action involving a teenager that began with information from an overseas agency. Dawn reported that the agency received a tip-off from the US Federal Bureau of Investigation and raided a suspect’s home, arresting him on September 23. The boy was later sent to jail on judicial remand for allegedly attempting to poison his father after seeking help from artificial intelligence chatbots. The two cases are separate, but both show investigators relying on cooperation with foreign agencies to identify risks to young people online.
Why It Matters for Families
The episode highlights the role of social media in connecting minors with harmful groups and the importance of attentive parenting. Child-safety experts generally advise families to keep communication open, watch for sudden changes in mood or behaviour, and seek professional help early. Authorities have not said whether they plan any wider awareness measures.
For now, the agency says the immediate danger to the girl has been averted, while the larger question of who operates the dark web group, and how far its reach extends, remains under investigation.
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