Rajab Butt, Iqra Kanwal, and Others Face Cyber Crime Probe Over Gambling Promotions

Several well-known Pakistani social media influencers have come under scrutiny after allegedly ignoring repeated notices from the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) regarding the promotion of online gambling applications.

The NCCIA confirmed that creators including Rajab Butt, Anas Ali, Iqra Kanwal, Hasnain Shah, and Irum Mehmood were instructed to appear before investigators at the agency’s Gulberg 2 office on September 15 at 11 a.m. to record their statements.

According to the official notices, these influencers had already been summoned twice before but “deliberately did not join the enquiry proceedings.” The agency has now warned that if they fail to attend the upcoming hearing, it will be considered as having “no defense to present” in the case.

The investigation centers on allegations that these influencers promoted unregistered trading and gambling apps through their social media platforms. Authorities claim the promotions lured thousands of young followers into risky investments, resulting in heavy financial losses. Officials describe the activities as part of a coordinated scheme targeting unsuspecting users.

This is not the first high-profile case of its kind. On August 17, YouTuber Saad ur Rehman, better known as Ducky Bhai, was arrested at Allama Iqbal International Airport on similar charges related to gambling app promotions.

The NCCIA says it is pursuing the matter to ensure accountability and to discourage the misuse of social media influence for promoting illegal and unlicensed digital platforms.