WEBDESK: After the arrest of YouTuber Ducky Bhai, more social media influencers are likely to face FIRs, the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency has confirmed.
Additional Director Chaudhry Iftikhar, in an interview with a private TV channel, revealed that Ducky Bhai had been promoting gambling among children and misleading them through his videos. He alleged that the YouTuber displayed vulgar behaviour and encouraged the use of gambling apps, through which billions of rupees were being transferred abroad.
He said many children were spending their school and tuition fees on such apps. “I know of families where fathers work hard all day as labourers, while their children waste money on online gambling,” he remarked.
The official added that Director General Cyber Crime, Waqaruddin Syed, had given strict instructions that individuals like Ducky Bhai had no place in Pakistan and that tough action would be taken.
Chaudhry Iftikhar confirmed that a secret inquiry had been carried out before Ducky Bhai’s arrest. The investigation also includes other YouTubers, though their names have not been disclosed yet. He said more FIRs will be filed against anyone found guilty of violating the law.
The YouTuber Ducky Bhai was arrested on 17 August at Lahore’s Allama Iqbal International Airport. He was first sent on a two-day remand and later produced before the court again.
Investigating Officer Shoaib Riaz had requested a 28-day remand, claiming that the accused was part of an international gambling racket. The court, however, only extended the remand until 23 August.
The charges include electronic forgery, electronic fraud, spamming, and spoofing. Sections 294-B and 420 of the Pakistan Penal Code, relating to offering unlawful prizes and cheating, were also applied.
According to the FIR, some YouTubers and influencers were promoting gambling and betting apps for financial gain. The report alleged that members of the public invested their money in these apps and suffered financial losses.
Ducky Bhai is accused of promoting platforms such as Binomo, 1xBet, Bet365, and B9 Game through his YouTube channel. The FIR mentioned 27 video links, some of which have since been removed.
Investigators also claimed to have found WhatsApp chats and payment records on his phone, linking him to the gambling networks. They further alleged that he worked as a “country manager” for a gambling app without approval from the State Bank of Pakistan or the Federal Board of Revenue.
He will be presented before the court again after the end of his remand. He will remain in the custody of the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) until 23 August.
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