Web desk: During a recent podcast with popular anchor Mansoor Ali Khan, NCCIA Additional Director Muhammad Sarfraz Chaudhary revealed significant findings from an ongoing investigation.
The discussion centred on a high-profile case involving prominent Pakistani YouTuber and social media personality, Saad-ur-Rehman, better known as Ducky Bhai, and his alleged involvement in promoting online gambling applications.
Ducky Bhai gambling promotion case: financial gains from gambling apps
According to NCCIA’s findings, Ducky Bhai benefited financially by promoting gambling apps. It is reported that there have been dozens of programmes, and he earned between 10,000 and 20,000 dollars for each programme.
The investigation claims he worked as a link for several gambling operators in Pakistan. Authorities say they have strong evidence of his involvement, though they are still probing whether he directly ran gambling operations himself.
How does the gambling system work?
NCCIA Additional Director Muhammad Sarfraz Chaudhary explained how the system works: for example, if a company based abroad owns the rights to gambling software, they might hand 80 per cent control of local operations to someone in Pakistan.
That person then runs the business, with only 20 per cent of profits or losses returning to the original owner. Investigators allege that Ducky Bhai was one of the main promoters in this structure.
Indian objectives behind gambling promotion in Pakistan
The case also touches on wider concerns, with gambling being heavily pushed from India through IPL and even PSL.
India is among the leading promoters of gambling worldwide, with events like the IPL heavily linked to such practices.
Even in the PSL, Indian involvement has been noted. This is one of the ways gambling is pushed and promoted, despite its disastrous effects on society.
Authorities say such practices harm society, especially children, by encouraging easy money instead of education.
Legal charges and possible penalties in Ducky Bhais’ case
Ducky Bhai has been booked under multiple sections of the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA), including 13, 14, 25, and 26, which relate to financial fraud. Gambling and fraud charges have also been added. If proven, the punishment could be three to five years in prison.
Officials stressed that he has not been mistreated, and only an interrogation is underway. They also confirmed that two notices had already been served at his residence before the arrest. A separate money laundering inquiry has now been opened and is in progress.
The history of NCCIA’s tracking of cybercrime
Officials say the matter first came under review in June, when a cyber-patrolling team, set up under the orders of the Director General of NCCIA after its separation from FIA, began monitoring online platforms across Pakistan.
This team was tasked with tracking cyber crimes, and during that period, Ducky Bhai was seen promoting gambling apps on podcasts and social media, even showing how to play them.
Investigators noted that many of his followers were children. During questioning, it was also found that he was active in a YouTube genre known as “roasting”, where offensive language is often used.
Though this behaviour is not part of the FIR, authorities believe it has had a damaging influence on young viewers.
Ducky Bhais’ wife, Aroob Jatoi, gets major relief in gambling promotion case
A sessions court on Wednesday approved interim bail for Aroob Jatoi, wife of YouTuber Saad-ur-Rehman or Ducky Bhai, in connection with a case related to the alleged promotion of gambling platforms.
The court restrained authorities from arresting her until August 30 and directed her to fully cooperate with investigators. It also instructed the investigating officer to submit a progress report at the next hearing.
Aroob Jatoi was represented in court by lawyers Irfan Kalyat and Raja Abdul Rehman Ranjha.
Meanwhile, her husband remains in custody. On Tuesday, a local court extended Saad-ur-Rehman’s physical remand for four more days after the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) requested additional time for interrogation. He will remain in the agency’s custody until August 23.
The case has been registered under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act, 2016, and also includes charges of cheating and offering illegal prizes under the Pakistan Penal Code.
Ducky Bhais’ gambling accusation case: a recap
The National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) has taken prominent YouTuber and TikToker Saad ur Rehman, widely known as Ducky Bhai, into custody and formally registered a case against him.
The arrest was made on August 17 at Allama Iqbal International Airport, Lahore, shortly after Ducky Bhai returned from an overseas trip. His passport was reportedly flagged at the immigration counter, prompting his immediate detention and subsequent handover to NCCIA officials.
Authorities allege that the social-media influencer was involved in promoting gambling applications and disseminating obscene material through his online platforms.
They added that his name had already been placed on the stop list, and an investigation into multiple cybercrime complaints was already in progress. Officials confirmed that several formal complaints had been received against Saad ur Rehman, which led to the launch of the inquiry and ultimately his arrest.
This is not the first time the YouTuber has faced legal proceedings. Earlier, in April 2025, he was booked in a separate case for allegedly performing dangerous driving stunts. In that matter, the Lahore High Court granted him bail and directed law-enforcement agencies not to arrest him, on the condition that he appear for trial hearings.
Ducky Bhai is considered one of Pakistan’s most popular digital creators, with millions of followers on YouTube and other platforms. Best known for his comedic vlogs, gaming content, and frequent controversies, he remains one of the country’s most watched and talked-about online personalities.
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