Magistrate Indicts YouTuber Ducky Bhai for Gambling App Promotion

In Lahore, judicial magistrate Naeem Wattoo indicted YouTuber Saadur Rehman, known by his stage name Ducky Bhai, and his wife Aroob Jatoi on Monday for alleged promotion of gambling apps through social media. Both the accused pleaded not guilty to the charges and have decided to contest the trial. The magistrate ordered that the prosecution present its witnesses at the next scheduled hearing.

The National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) registered several cases involving prominent YouTubers and TikTok users for similar offenses, including Ducky Bhai. In August of last year, Rehman was arrested by NCCIA and released on bail in November following a High Court decision. The case is linked to an inquiry dated June 13, 2025, initiated after receiving information from reliable sources alleging that some social media influencers were promoting gambling apps for their own financial gains.

The investigation targets sections of the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act, 2016 and related provisions under Pakistan’s Penal Code. In December, Ducky Bhai made allegations about his mistreatment in custody during a video posted on YouTube. Later, six NCCIA officials were remanded for three days as part of an inquiry into their improper conduct, including misusing authority to extort money or taking bribes.

In September, NCCIA Lahore’s additional director, Sarfraz Chaudhry, was relieved from his post due to different controversies. These include allegations of beating Ducky Bhai during an earlier incident involving the YouTuber and authorities.

The case continues with further proceedings set for February 23rd. As tensions escalate within law enforcement circles, the spotlight is once again focused on a prominent figure in online entertainment, adding new layers of complexity to this cyber crime saga.