Ducky Bhai was arrested in August 2025 by the National Cybercrime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) at Lahore’s Allama Iqbal International Airport. He was stopped at the immigration counter while traveling abroad with his wife.
At the time, NCCIA Additional Director Chaudhry Sarfraz told BBC Urdu that Ducky Bhai was attempting to leave the country despite his name being placed on the Provisional National Identification List (PNIL). Ironically, Sarfraz himself was later arrested by the FIA on corruption charges.
Allegations in the FIR
The FIR accuses Ducky Bhai of promoting illegal gambling apps such as Binomo, Bet 365, and 39 Game through his YouTube channels. Authorities claim that many citizens lost their savings after investing in these apps, which allegedly operated fraudulently.
The FIR also states that Ducky Bhai ignored repeated summons during the inquiry, leading to his name being added to the PNIL. A press release from NCCIA later declared 46 gambling and forex trading apps illegal nationwide, including Binomo.
Court Decision
On Monday, the Lahore High Court ordered his release on bail against bonds of Rs 1 million. His lawyer has not issued any public statement despite repeated attempts by BBC Urdu to seek comment.
Previous Controversies
Ducky Bhai, one of Pakistan’s most followed YouTubers, is known for comedy skits and family vlogs. His content has often sparked debate. Earlier this year, he faced legal trouble when a video of him driving recklessly on a motorway went viral, but he was granted protective bail in that case.
Defense from Fellow YouTubers
His close friend and fellow YouTuber Nadeem Mubarak defended him on social media, saying Ducky was not fleeing the country but traveling to Malaysia for a two‑day event. Mubarak argued that the Binomo app is widely used in Pakistan despite not being regulated, and questioned why only one influencer was being singled out.
Wider Context
The case highlights growing concerns about social media influencers promoting unregulated financial apps. Authorities argue that such promotions mislead ordinary citizens into risky investments, while supporters claim that regulation, not selective targeting, is the real issue.