An application submitted to the Cyber Crime Wing of the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) – now National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) – in Lahore has sought legal action against former Pakistan cricket captain and star bowler Wasim Akram for promoting a sports betting and gambling platform.

 

According to the application submitted by one Muhammad Fiaz, the former international cricketer signed up as a brand ambassador for an Indian betting company linked to the platform called Baji. The complainant alleges that a poster and a video clip circulating on social media showed Akram endorsing the platform while urging people to join for an “exciting experience”.

 

“Wasim Akram signed up for an Indian betting and gambling company as a brand ambassador. A clip shared on his social media account shows Akram asking people to join the betting app for exciting experience, encouraging fans to rake in dough,” stated the application, a copy of which is available with The Current.

 

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It added that the former cricketer, by associating with the platform, was “promoting gambling in Pakistan”, which is prohibited under the law and banned in all forms.

 

The complainant went on to seek strict action against Akram under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act of 2016.

 

While Akram is yet to respond to the complaint against him, the complaint comes amid growing scrutiny over influencers and celebrities promoting betting and gambling platforms in Pakistan.

 

 

On Saturday night, popular YouTuber Saad ur Rehman, widely known as Ducky Bhai, was arrested in Lahore after the NCCIA registered a case against him for promoting online gambling applications.

 

According to the FIR, the case against Ducky Bhai was registered under several sections of PECA, including Section 13 (Electronic Forgery), Section 14 (Electronic Fraud), Section 25 (Spamming) and Section 26 (Spoofing). He was also charged under Sections 294-B and 420 of the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC).

 

The FIR said that Ducky Bhai among other internet personalities were promoting gambling apps such as Binomo, 1xBet, Bet365 and B9 Game for financial gain, which had resulted in financial losses for people who had been misled into using their savings on these platforms.

He is currently in NCCIA custody on a two-day physical remand.