Lahore — Pakistani YouTuber Saad-ur-Rehman, popularly known as Ducky Bhai, remains in jail after a Lahore district and sessions court rejected his bail plea in the ongoing investigation into his alleged involvement with illegal gambling applications.
The court denied bail after hearing arguments from both the defense and the prosecution. The National Cyber Crimes Investigation Agency (NCCIA) is leading the probe, which forms part of a broader crackdown on unlicensed online gambling and forex platforms in Pakistan.
According to the prosecution, Ducky Bhai is a nominated suspect in the case, with strong evidence linking him to the promotion of illegal betting and forex trading apps. The investigation was initiated after a credible source reported his alleged role in encouraging investments through these unauthorized platforms.
Rashmika Mandanna and Vijay Deverakonda Confirm Engagement, Wedding Planned for February 2026
Officials emphasized that none of the gambling or forex apps are registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP). Despite this, Ducky Bhai allegedly promoted several of these apps on his YouTube channel, urging viewers to invest.
As part of the investigation, the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) uncovered Rs160 million in one bank account and Rs50 million in another, funds for which the influencer could not provide a satisfactory explanation. Authorities suspect the money could be tied to illegal financial activities.
During court proceedings, questions were raised about the now-banned app Binomo, which Ducky Bhai is alleged to have promoted. NCCIA officials confirmed that Binomo has been blocked in Pakistan, though several other similar apps remain active. Prosecutors also claimed that Ducky Bhai acted as Binomo’s country manager in Pakistan, without any official authorization.
Investigators currently have Ducky Bhai’s mobile devices in custody, but face difficulties accessing them due to security locks.
The NCCIA has identified 46 apps, including Binomo, as illegal, citing their involvement in unregulated gambling and forex trading. These platforms are said to have caused significant financial harm to unsuspecting users.
This high-profile case has triggered a nationwide conversation about the responsibility of social media influencers and the dangers of illegal online trading and betting platforms. Authorities continue to investigate, with more updates expected in the coming weeks.