The National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) has warned citizens against a fake message offering a Rs 13,000 cash reward in the name of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Iqbal Day. The message, circulating on social media, asks people to click a link to claim the amount. The NCCIA has confirmed that the announcement is fraudulent, and that scammers are using it to steal personal and banking information. Citizens have been advised not to click the link, not to share personal details, and to verify every such announcement through official government channels first.
The Fake Rs 13,000 Iqbal Day Message — What NCCIA Found
Detail
What NCCIA Confirmed
Claim in the message
A cash reward of Rs 13,000 from Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Iqbal Day, 9 November 2026
How it reaches people
Social media messages carrying a link to claim the amount
NCCIA’s finding
The announcement is fake — no such cash reward has been announced by the Prime Minister
Purpose of the scam
To obtain personal and banking information through suspicious links
Who confirmed it
NCCIA spokesperson and Director General Syed Ali Nasir Rizvi, 9 November 2026
Where to report
NCCIA helpline 1799 or the nearest NCCIA circle office
Source
ProPakistani, The Express Tribune, Dunya News and ARY News, 8–9 November 2026
How the Scam Works
The fraud follows a familiar pattern: a well-known name, a festival date, and a link that looks official.
Fake reward message: a message claims Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is offering Rs 13,000 in cash to Pakistanis for Iqbal Day, observed on 9 November.
Prime Minister’s name misused: the message uses the Prime Minister’s name and the Iqbal Day occasion to look like a genuine government announcement.
Link to claim the money: the message includes a link that supposedly allows people to receive the cash reward when they click on it.
Data theft: the links collect personal information and banking details, exposing recipients to financial fraud and possible loss of money.
Forwarding spreads it: people who forward the message to family and friends help the scammers reach more victims, so the NCCIA has asked citizens not to forward such messages.
The NCCIA’s advice is simple: do not engage with the message at all — report it through the official channel.
Do not click unverified links: never open a link in a message that promises a cash reward or financial benefit, even if it carries a familiar name.
Do not share personal details: do not provide your CNIC number, bank account details, passwords or one-time codes to any unknown website or sender.
Do not forward the message: forwarding spreads the fraud to others; delete the message instead of passing it on.
Verify through official channels: check every announcement about cash rewards and financial assistance through official government channels first.
Report the message: report suspected cybercrime to the NCCIA through helpline 1799 or at the nearest NCCIA circle office, so action can be taken against those involved.
How to Check Whether a Cash Reward Announcement Is Real
A genuine government announcement never arrives as a forwarded message with a claim link. These checks take a minute and can save a bank account.
Official channels only: real announcements appear on official government websites, verified social media accounts and established news outlets — not in forwarded messages.
No genuine scheme asks for bank details through a link: no government programme collects CNIC numbers, bank account details or passwords through a link sent in a message.
Compare with known programmes: genuine BISP messages reach beneficiaries through the official 8171 service, not through random links promising a new reward.
Iqbal Day carries no cash reward: 9 November is observed as Iqbal Day, a public holiday — no cash reward for the public has been announced for the occasion.
Check the sender: a message from an unknown number, a shortened link, or a page that asks for personal details before showing anything is a warning sign on its own.
1799 — report cybercrime incidents and suspicious messages
Nearest NCCIA office
Visit your nearest NCCIA circle office to lodge a complaint
Verify announcements
Through official government channels only — never through links in forwarded messages
Conclusion
The NCCIA has confirmed that the Rs 13,000 Iqbal Day cash reward message is fake — no such reward has been announced in the name of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, and the links in the message are designed to steal personal and banking information. Citizens should not click the link, share personal details, or forward the message. Anyone who receives it should delete it and, if they have already clicked or shared information, report it to the NCCIA on helpline 1799. Checking every cash announcement through official channels is the simplest protection against this kind of fraud.
FAQs
Is the Rs 13,000 Iqbal Day cash reward real? No. The NCCIA has confirmed that the message claiming Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is offering Rs 13,000 on Iqbal Day is fraudulent, and no such reward has been announced.
What should I do if I receive the message? Do not click the link, share any personal or banking details, or forward the message. Delete it, and report it to the NCCIA on helpline 1799 to lodge a complaint.
What information are the scammers trying to steal? Personal information and banking details, including CNIC numbers and account information, which they collect through the suspicious links in the message.
How can I report a cybercrime incident? Call the NCCIA helpline 1799 or visit your nearest NCCIA circle office to lodge a complaint.
How do I verify a government cash announcement? Check it through official government channels — official websites, verified accounts and established news outlets. No genuine scheme asks for bank details through a forwarded-message link.
Does BISP send cash reward messages like this? No. Genuine BISP messages reach beneficiaries through the official 8171 service, not through random links promising a new reward.
Shahzad Sahil is the editor of lahorejobs24.com, covering government jobs, private jobs, bank jobs, results and education news for Lahore and Punjab, with information verified from official sources.
