Popular YouTuber Ducky Bhai, also known as Saadur Rehman, arrested at Lahore airport for promoting illegal online gambling apps; NCCIA files charges under Pakistan’s cybercrime laws.
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| YouTuber Ducky Bhai was arrested in Lahore for allegedly promoting gambling apps, triggering legal scrutiny on social media influencers and cybercrime laws. Image Courtesy: DAWN |
Lahore, Pakistan — August 17, 2025:
In a significant development that is garnering both local and international attention, Saadur Rehman, better known as the YouTuber Ducky Bhai, was arrested on Sunday, August 17, 2025, at Lahore's Allama Iqbal International Airport. The arrest was made by the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) after Rehman was accused of promoting online gambling and betting applications via his YouTube platform, including popular but controversial apps like Binomo, 1xBet, and Bet 365.
This marks a pivotal moment in Pakistan’s growing efforts to curb cybercrime, particularly in the rapidly expanding world of online gambling, which has gained traction through social media influencers. Ducky Bhai, with millions of followers, is one of the latest figures to face legal action due to the influence they wield on digital platforms. The charges against him, including promoting illegal gambling apps and causing financial harm to the public, raise questions about the regulation of online spaces and the responsibilities of content creators.
The case, which was filed under Pakistan's Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act, 2016, and the Pakistan Penal Code, accuses Rehman of promoting gambling apps that have not been registered in Pakistan. The applications, which lure users into making monetary investments with the promise of returns, allegedly led to significant financial losses for many users.
Rehman faces serious charges including electronic forgery, fraud, spamming, and cheating. According to the FIR filed by the NCCIA, over 27 video links from Rehman’s YouTube account were found to promote these gambling platforms. Several of these videos have since been removed, but the evidence gathered has raised alarms about the scale of the promotion and its harmful impact on users.
Rehman’s arrest signals a shift in how social media influencers are being held accountable for the content they promote. In recent years, the lines between entertainment, promotion, and legality have become increasingly blurred, with influencers often wielding immense power over their audiences. Rehman’s case, however, is one of the first instances in which a Pakistani influencer has faced such serious charges for promoting a potentially harmful and unregulated activity like online gambling.
The rise of online gambling has posed a significant challenge for governments around the world, with many gambling platforms operating without adequate regulatory oversight. In Pakistan, these platforms are not legally recognized, yet they have been widely advertised through social media, often targeting young, impressionable users. The situation raises crucial questions about the role of digital content creators in endorsing products and services, and whether their actions should be subject to greater legal scrutiny.
According to the NCCIA, investigations into Ducky Bhai’s online activities revealed significant evidence of his involvement in the promotion of these gambling apps. His phone, seized at the time of his arrest, reportedly contained communication with contacts related to Binomo promotions, as well as records of illicit payments made in connection with these promotions.
Furthermore, the NCCIA claims that Rehman was serving as an unofficial country manager for Binomo, without any legal authorization from relevant Pakistani authorities such as the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) or the State Bank of Pakistan. This allegation further deepens the suspicion surrounding his involvement in the operations of these gambling apps within Pakistan.
The incident highlights the urgent need for stricter regulation and enforcement of laws surrounding digital content and online activities. As more people, especially young individuals, turn to social media for entertainment and information, the line between legitimate content and harmful promotions becomes increasingly difficult to discern. Influencers like Ducky Bhai can have a significant impact on their followers’ behaviors, making it essential for governments to enact stronger safeguards and ensure that content creators are held responsible for the products and services they promote.
Pakistan’s Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act, 2016, provides a legal framework for addressing cybercrimes, but this case shows that more work is needed to ensure the regulation keeps pace with the rapid growth of digital media. Authorities must continue to strengthen these laws to protect citizens from online exploitation and ensure that influencers operate within the boundaries of the law.
While the legal ramifications of Ducky Bhai’s case are still unfolding, the broader issue of online gambling in Pakistan remains a significant concern. With the widespread availability of gambling apps that operate outside the bounds of Pakistani law, the potential for financial exploitation is high. These apps often promise large returns, but in many cases, they fail to deliver, leaving users financially devastated.
As the case progresses, it will likely set a precedent for how similar cases are handled in the future, particularly in relation to social media influencers who may be involved in promoting unregulated services. It is clear that authorities are beginning to take a harder stance on the issue, and this may lead to greater scrutiny of influencers and their role in promoting illegal online activities.
Ducky Bhai’s arrest marks a turning point in Pakistan’s approach to regulating digital content and holding influencers accountable. As social media continues to shape public opinion and consumer behavior, the need for effective regulations to protect citizens from online fraud and exploitation becomes more critical. This case is just the beginning of what could be a larger movement to combat online gambling and ensure that digital influencers are held responsible for the content they promote.