Ducky Bhai arrested at Lahore Airport over Gambling Apps

Popular Pakistani YouTuber Ducky Bhai was arrested at Lahore airport.

Officials confirmed that a case was registered against him by the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency for promoting gambling and betting apps.

Ducky was produced before a judicial magistrate later in the day, where authorities requested his custody for investigative purposes.

The court approved a two-day remand, ordering that he be presented in court on August 19 with a progress report.

According to details in the FIR, the case was filed by the state through NCCIA Lahore shortly after midnight on August 17.

It invoked sections 13, 14, 25 and 26 of the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act 2016, covering forgery, fraud, spamming and spoofing.

Charges also included sections 294 B and 420 of the Pakistan Penal Code, relating to trade-linked prizes and dishonest inducement.

The inquiry, initially launched on June 13, 2025, was based on information that certain social media influencers were promoting gambling platforms.

Investigators alleged that Ducky encouraged viewers to use apps like Binomo, 1xBet, Bet365 and B9 Game through his YouTube channel.

The FIR stated that 27 separate video links had been identified, many of which have since been removed or made inaccessible.

It further alleged that users, persuaded by such promotions, invested their money but were defrauded when the apps failed to pay profits.

These platforms, investigators said, were not registered in Pakistan, which added to the legal complications surrounding their use and promotion.

Authorities maintained that Ducky had been summoned multiple times but did not appear, avoiding the inquiry proceedings despite official notices.

As a result, his name was placed on the Provisional National Identification List, restricting his ability to travel outside Pakistan.

On August 16, FIA Immigration officers intercepted him at Allama Iqbal International Airport while he attempted to leave the country.

He was detained after being flagged through the IBMS system, and a search of his belongings led to the seizure of his phone.

Preliminary forensic checks allegedly uncovered communication with contacts linked to Binomo promotions, alongside records of suspicious financial transfers.

Investigators also claimed to find drafts and uploads of promotional content that exaggerated benefits while downplaying the risks of these applications.

The FIR asserted that Ducky Bhai was operating as Binomo’s country manager.

This was despite not having required authorisation from financial regulators like the FBR or State Bank.