A new advisory warns Pakistani expats in the UAE to steer clear of fraudulent NADRA portals that harvest personal and payment data.
Pakistani expats in the United Arab Emirates are being warned to watch out for fake websites posing as NADRA, the authority that manages national identity records back home in Pakistan. According to an advisory reported by Gulf News, fraudulent portals have been set up to imitate official NADRA services and collect sensitive personal, biometric, and payment information from unsuspecting applicants.
The concern is especially serious for overseas Pakistanis, who rely heavily on online portals to renew or apply for identity documents from abroad. NADRA is the body responsible for citizen registration and legal identity in Pakistan. It maintains the central identity database and issues documents including the Computerised National Identity Card, known as the CNIC, the National Identity Card for Overseas Pakistanis, known as the NICOP, and the Pakistan Origin Card. It also handles the Child Registration Certificate, Family Registration Certificate, and other records.
Because so many expats handle these applications remotely, scammers have found an opening. NADRA has flagged fraudulent platforms repeatedly in recent months, and cybersecurity specialists say fake government websites are among the highest-risk scams because people willingly hand over details they would normally guard.
Why Fake NADRA Portals Are Dangerous for Overseas Pakistanis
The danger with these fraudulent sites goes beyond a wasted fee. According to NADRA officials, fake platforms can misuse personal documents, online payments, fingerprints, and other sensitive information, exposing applicants to identity theft, financial fraud, and other cybercrime.
NADRA has clarified that it has not authorized any private consultant, agent, dealer, or third-party service provider anywhere in the world to file applications, collect payments, or process identity documents on its behalf. In practical terms, that means any person or business claiming special access, an inside connection, or an official partnership should be treated with suspicion unless the service appears on an official government platform.
Authorities have also named specific fraudulent websites in earlier warnings. According to Daily Times, an advisory identified fake platforms using web addresses built to look official, and confirmed these were not affiliated with NADRA. In other cases, a UK-based website branded itself as a “NADRA Card Center” and even advertised fake job openings at NADRA, despite having no connection to the authority.
How Pakistani Expats Can Apply Safely Through Official NADRA Channels
NADRA has stressed that all legitimate online services are available directly through its own platforms. Overseas Pakistanis can apply for the CNIC, NICOP, and other documents from home using the official NADRA website, the Pak Identity portal, and the Pak ID mobile application. Applications can also be submitted in person at NADRA desks and counters set up at Pakistan’s embassies and consulates abroad.
One simple check can prevent most scams. NADRA has advised citizens to confirm that any NADRA-related website ends with the official domain before entering personal data or making a payment. The authority recently published a domain authenticity policy stating that only websites operating under its official government domain are authorized.
NADRA has also reminded applicants that its services run on prior appointments and that customer support is available through its official call center and email channels, where applicants can ask about documentation, application status, and complaints without paying any middleman.
For anyone who may have already shared information with a fake site, NADRA advises acting quickly. Affected citizens have been urged to contact their local cybercrime units and consumer protection authorities without delay, and to lodge a complaint directly with NADRA.
Staying cautious online is the best protection. With scams growing more sophisticated, expats are advised to slow down, verify every link, and never trust a NADRA service that arrives through a social media advertisement, a WhatsApp message, or an unfamiliar third-party page.
Safety Checklist for Overseas Pakistanis Using NADRA Services
- Use only official platforms: the NADRA website, the Pak Identity portal, and the Pak ID mobile application.
- Check that any NADRA website ends with the official government domain before entering data.
- Avoid any agent, consultant, or page claiming special access or an official partnership.
- Never submit documents or payments through social media pages, WhatsApp contacts, or unfamiliar websites.
- Use NADRA counters at Pakistani embassies and consulates where available.
- If you shared data with a fake site, contact cybercrime authorities and file a complaint with NADRA immediately.
