Fake “Eidi Scheme” Scam Targets Citizens in Pakistan Ahead of Eid

Authorities have warned citizens in Pakistan about a fraudulent online scheme circulating ahead of Eid al-Fitr, falsely claiming to offer Rs5,000 as “Eidi” under the name of Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz.

The scam, widely shared on social media platforms and messaging apps, promises financial assistance to individuals aged 12 and above through digital wallets such as Easypaisa and JazzCash. However, investigations have confirmed that the scheme is completely fake.

Cybersecurity experts revealed that fraudsters are using a deceptive website designed to resemble an official government portal. The site, operating under a private domain, asks users to register by providing sensitive personal and financial information, including CNIC numbers, mobile numbers, and digital wallet details.

Further analysis showed that the website also contains links to gambling-related applications, indicating that it is being used to generate revenue through advertisements and referrals rather than any legitimate government initiative.

Officials clarified that neither the Punjab government nor any credible authority has announced such a scheme. They emphasized that all official government programs are hosted exclusively on verified domains and do not collect sensitive data through unofficial platforms.

Security experts have cautioned that sharing personal information on such fake websites could lead to financial loss, unauthorized access to digital wallets, identity theft, and SIM-related fraud.

Citizens are strongly advised to avoid clicking on unverified links shared via social media, verify any scheme through official government websites, and never disclose sensitive information such as CNIC numbers or banking PINs online.