Pakistan court sets indictment date in Ducky Bhai online gambling promotion case

Prosecutors are also pursuing bribery allegations against cybercrime officials.

Pakistan.- A Lahore court has summoned YouTuber Saad ur Rehman, known as Ducky Bhai, and several co-accused to face formal indictment on November 17 in connection with the alleged promotion of illegal online gambling applications. 

During the latest hearing, judicial magistrate Naeem Wattoo distributed copies of the investigation report submitted by the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) and set a date for Rehman, his wife Aroob Jatoi, and content creators Opi Baba and Subhan, to appear. The case involves multiple sections of the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) 2016 and the Pakistan Penal Code, covering electronic fraud, spamming and promoting commercial prizes.

Rehman was arrested in August at Lahore’s Allama Iqbal International Airport over accusations that he endorsed betting and trading platforms through his YouTube channel. He maintains he was unaware of the apps’ fraudulent nature.

Meanwhile, six NCCIA officials have been arrested for allegedly accepting a PKR9m (US$31,000) bribe from Jatoi to influence the investigation. The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) told the court that it has recovered PKR45.8m (US$162,000) from the suspects and is pursuing additional funds.

Ducky Bhai remains in judicial custody, while his wife is on extended interim bail.

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See also: Pakistan court extends bail for Ducky Bhai’s wife in gambling marketing case

Prosecutors are also pursuing bribery allegations against cybercrime officials. Pakistan.- A Lahore court has summoned YouTuber Saad ur Rehman, known as Ducky Bhai, and several co-accused to face formal indictment…