Prominent Pakistani YouTuber Saad ur Rehman, widely known as Ducky Bhai, found himself in legal trouble when he was arrested at Lahore’s Allama Iqbal International Airport by the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA).
The arrest came as he allegedly attempted to board a flight to Dubai, triggering a high-profile case that has sent shockwaves through Pakistan’s digital community. The following day, on August 18, Ducky Bhai was presented before a Lahore District Court in connection with serious allegations of promoting illegal online gambling applications and engaging in fraudulent activities.
The Duty Judicial Magistrate granted a two-day physical remand to the NCCIA, allowing authorities to further investigate the case. The court ordered that Saad ur Rehman be brought back on August 19, with a directive for the NCCIA to submit a comprehensive investigation report at the next hearing.
Represented by esteemed lawyer Zain Ali Qureshi, Ducky Bhai faced charges under Case No. 196/2025, which includes Sections 13 (Electronic Forgery), 14 (Electronic Fraud), 25 (Spamming), and 26 (Spoofing) of the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) 2016, alongside Sections 420 (Cheating) and 294-B (Offering Prizes in Trade) of the Pakistan Penal Code.
According to the First Information Report (FIR), Ducky Bhai allegedly used his vast social media influence, with over 8 million YouTube subscribers, to promote betting platforms such as Binomo, 1xBet, Bet365, and B9 Game.
The NCCIA claims to have recovered substantial evidence from his mobile phone, including WhatsApp conversations and records of suspicious financial transactions linked to these apps, which are unregistered in Pakistan and deemed fraudulent. Authorities allege that his endorsements misled the public, resulting in significant financial losses.
The NCCIA emphasized that the investigation is ongoing, with further developments expected soon. This case has sparked widespread debate about the responsibility of influencers in Pakistan’s rapidly growing digital landscape.
