Pakistan’s National Crime Agency has summoned top YouTubers and influencers, including Ducky Bhai, Iqra Kanwal, and Nadir Ali, in a massive online gambling scandal draining billions through unlicensed apps.
By News Desk
LAHORE — The National Crime Agency (NCCIA) has widened its crackdown on online gambling and financial scams after the recent arrest of YouTuber Saadur Rehman, popularly known as Ducky Bhai. Several high-profile YouTubers and social media influencers have now been summoned for questioning in connection with unlicensed trading and betting platforms.
According to officials, Mudassar Hassan, Muhammad Anas Ali, Iqra Kanwal, and Muhammad Husnain Shah have been directed to appear before the agency’s Lahore office on September 2. Investigators allege that these influencers promoted gambling apps and unregulated trading platforms, luring thousands of young Pakistanis into schemes that drained billions of rupees out of the country each month.
Whistleblower accounts suggest that the controversial platform “World 777” aggressively funded influencer campaigns, glamorizing gambling to vulnerable audiences. Authorities say the promotions created a shadow economy that threatens Pakistan’s financial stability while fueling addiction and widespread losses.
Additional high-profile names linked to the scandal include Mathira, Nadir Ali, Aimen Zaman, Varda Malik, Javeria Aurangzeb, Abeera Khan, Faryal Fairy, and Nauman Kazmi. The National Crime Agency warned that failure to appear will be treated as an admission of guilt or forfeiture of the right to defend oneself.
Meanwhile, Ducky Bhai remains in custody after a Lahore court extended his physical remand for four more days. Authorities allege he promoted platforms such as Binomo, 1xBet, Bet365, and B9 Game for financial gain. Investigators have recovered 27 promotional video links from his account, many of which have since been deleted.
The charges against him fall under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) 2016 and sections of the Pakistan Penal Code, including fraud and electronic forgery. His arrest at Lahore airport on August 16 has triggered the largest inquiry yet into influencer-backed gambling promotions in Pakistan.
With the National Crime Agency intensifying its probe, industry insiders say the scandal marks one of the most serious credibility crises for Pakistan’s influencer economy.
