A local court in Lahore has sent YouTuber Saad ur Rehman, popularly known as Ducky Bhai, to jail on a 14-day judicial remand in connection with the ongoing gambling app case.
The judicial magistrate approved the request for Ducky Bhai’s remand after the investigating authorities presented him before the court.
Meanwhile, the Lahore High Court (LHC) issued a notice on the post-arrest bail petition filed by the YouTuber.
Justice Farooq Haider heard the bail plea and directed the National Crime and Cyber Investigation Agency (NCCIA) to submit the complete case record.
Advocate Imran Raza Chadhar appeared on behalf of the petitioner.
During the hearing, the counsel argued that this was Ducky Bhai’s first post-arrest bail application and alleged that the investigating authority had misused its powers.
After issuing the notice, the court adjourned the hearing indefinitely. The petition has named NCCIA Lahore as a respondent in the case.
The NCCIA initiated action after the app was found to be involved in fraudulent activities and online betting, leading to significant public losses.
Ducky Bhai was arrested, while his wife, Arooba Jatoi, secured interim bail.
The couple has denied any involvement in illegal promotions, claiming they were unaware of the app’s fraudulent nature.
The authorities, however, maintain that influencers received payments for endorsing the app, and investigations are ongoing to determine the extent of financial transactions and responsibility in the scam.
Ducky Bhai was arrested at Lahore’s Allama Iqbal International Airport on August 17 on charges of promoting platforms such as Binomo, 1xBet, Bet365, and B9 Game via his YouTube channel.
The case was registered by the state under Sections 13 (Electronic Forgery), 14 (Electronic Fraud), 25 (Spamming), and 26 (Spoofing) of the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act, 2016, as well as Sections 294-B (Offering prize in connection with trade) and 420 (Cheating and dishonestly inducing delivery of property) of the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC).
The development has sent ripples through Pakistan’s digital community as authorities tighten scrutiny of influencer-driven promotions. Reports suggest that the agency has summoned several more YouTubers for questioning.
With millions relying on YouTubers and TikTok stars for lifestyle, entertainment, and even financial guidance, the scandal underscores the urgent need for clear guidelines on influencer marketing and advertising ethics.
