IQAS requests you to send soft copy of transcripts for some reason I am not aware of. But they ask for it after receiving the hard copies.There was a guy claiming this, but I am not able to find the comment now. The safe bet is to say NO. We'll have to make our universities send in the hard copies of the transcripts.
Even if it was true, it was a one off chance, could be IQAS demanded re issuance of transcripts towards them and the university may have contacted IQAS for email to get a quicker response.
I haven't heard of a single case, that the ECA has been given by sending soft copy only.