Popular YouTuber Saad ur Rehman, widely known as Ducky Bhai, was arrested early Sunday at Lahore airport after the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) registered a case against him for promoting online gambling and betting applications.

 

According to media reports quoting the FIR, the case was lodged by the state through NCCIA Lahore at midnight on August 17 under several sections of the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act, 2016,  including Section 13 (Electronic Forgery), Section 14 (Electronic Fraud), Section 25 (Spamming), and Section 26 (Spoofing). In addition, he faces charges under Sections 294-B (offering prizes in trade) and 420 (cheating and dishonestly inducing delivery of property) of the Pakistan Penal Code.

 

The complaint stems from an inquiry initiated on June 13 based on “information from reliable sources” alleging that various YouTubers and influencers were promoting gambling apps such as Binomo, 1xBet, Bet365, and B9 Game for monetary gain. The FIR stated that many people invested their savings in these apps and faced financial losses.

 

Investigators added that 27 video links from Ducky Bhai’s channel were found promoting such platforms, though several of them have since been removed. Evidence collected also showed that Binomo and other apps defrauded users by withholding promised profits, which authorities classified as a public scam.

 

The FIR further noted that Rehman was summoned but “deliberately avoided” inquiry proceedings, leading to his name being placed on the Provisional National Identification List (PNIL). On August 16, FIA Immigration flagged him while he attempted to travel abroad, resulting in his detention at Allama Iqbal International Airport. His phone was seized, and investigators claimed to have recovered chats with Binomo representatives, records of suspicious payments, and “misleading videos” promoting the app.

 

The FIR also alleged that Rehman was working as a “country manager” for Binomo without authorization from any Pakistani regulatory authority, including the FBR or the State Bank of Pakistan.

 

Reports also revealed that the accused was working as a country manager appointed by Binomo’s management, without obtaining any authorization from government institutions such as the FBR or the State Bank of Pakistan.

 

He is expected to be presented before a local court in Lahore on Monday, where authorities are likely to seek his remand.