Pakistani YouTuber Ducky Bhai’s Bail Cancelled in Gambling Apps Case; \$300,000 Seized, Other Influencers Under Probe

LAHORE: A local court in Lahore has **cancelled the bail** of popular YouTuber **Saqib Rehman, widely known as Ducky Bhai**, in a case related to the promotion of illegal online gambling and trading platforms in Pakistan.

According to media reports, the judicial magistrate rejected his bail plea after observing that over **\$300,000 in cash** was recovered from his possession. The court noted that Ducky Bhai had actively promoted gambling applications through his laptop and mobile phone.

Ducky Bhai was arrested on **August 17** at Lahore’s **Allama Iqbal International Airport** by the **National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA)** and remains on judicial remand.

Investigations reveal that the YouTuber promoted platforms such as **Binomo, 1xBet, Bet365, and B9Game** through his YouTube channel. Authorities allege that he even worked as a **“country manager”** for at least one of these platforms, earning substantial financial benefits.

He faces charges under the **Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) 2016**, including:

Section 13 (Electronic Forgery)
Section 14 (Electronic Fraud)
Section 25 (Spamming)
Section 26 (Spoofing)

In addition, provisions of the **Pakistan Penal Code** have been invoked, including:

Section 294-B (Offering prizes for commercial purposes)
Section 420 (Cheating and fraud in property acquisition)

An NCCIA official, speaking on condition of anonymity, stated: *“This is not just about irresponsible advertising; it involves active participation in financial fraud.”* He hinted that the probe could expand further.

Digital Community Under Scrutiny

Ducky Bhai’s arrest has sent shockwaves through Pakistan’s digital content creation community. Reports suggest that several other **YouTubers and influencers** are also under investigation, including **Iqra Kanwal (Sistrology), Muhammad Anas Ali, Muhammad Hasnain Shah, Mudasir Hasan, and Nadeem Mubarak (known as Nadeem Nani Wala)**. Sources said Iqra Kanwal sought more time from the court due to her pregnancy.

The case has reignited debate over the **responsibility of social media influencers** and the risks posed by **non-transparent digital advertising**. Experts argue that stricter regulations are urgently needed to safeguard audiences, particularly as millions of Pakistanis look to YouTubers and TikTokers for entertainment, lifestyle, and even financial advice.