A Rawalpindi resident has been arrested for targeting minors through a fake scholarship scam on Instagram, exposing the growing risks children face online in 2026. The case highlights how social media platforms are increasingly being misused to exploit vulnerable users, particularly minors seeking educational opportunities.
According to investigators, the accused used multiple fake Instagram accounts to pose as a legitimate scholarship provider. By offering non-existent financial aid programs, he gained the trust of children and persuaded them to share personal information. This deception later escalated into grooming, where minors were manipulated into sharing explicit content under false pretenses.
Authorities revealed that once the suspect obtained sensitive material, he used it to blackmail victims, threatening to make the content public unless further demands were met. Such grooming and coercion tactics are commonly used by online predators and can leave lasting psychological harm on young victims and their families.
The Pakistan National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency identified the suspect after receiving complaints and conducting a detailed digital forensic investigation. Analysis of his mobile phone uncovered hundreds of files containing child sexual abuse material, communication records linked to multiple WhatsApp accounts, and evidence of financial transactions through mobile payment services. Investigators also found that the accused had altered his phone’s IMEI number, which is a serious violation of electronic crime laws in Pakistan.
The man has been charged under several sections of the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act 2016 and the Pakistan Penal Code, including cyberstalking, online exploitation, identity misuse, and crimes involving minors. Officials confirmed that further investigations are underway to identify any accomplices or facilitators connected to the case.
This incident has raised serious concerns about online safety for children and the urgent need for parental awareness and stronger monitoring. Experts advise parents to regularly review their children’s social media activity, educate them about the dangers of interacting with strangers online, use parental control tools, and report any suspicious behavior immediately to cybercrime authorities.
The arrest serves as a stark reminder that online scholarship scams and digital exploitation are real threats. Increased vigilance, awareness, and timely reporting remain critical to protecting children from predators operating on social media platforms.
