Cybercrime Agency Files Cases Against Influencers for Promoting Betting Apps
The National Cybercrime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) has registered criminal cases against prominent YouTubers Rajab Butt, Anas Ali, and Hurairah for allegedly promoting illegal gambling platforms. The influencers are accused of endorsing online betting apps and misleading their followers into investing money with false promises of high returns.
The cases were filed in Lahore under multiple sections of the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) and fraud-related laws. According to officials, the suspects acted as brand ambassadors for betting applications and used their social media influence to promote these platforms aggressively.
Despite receiving formal warnings from the cybercrime agency, the influencers reportedly continued their promotions, prompting legal action. Authorities said these actions directly contributed to financial losses for thousands of people, many of whom lost their life savings.
Thousands Duped; Influencers Summoned for Questioning
On September 6, the NCCIA issued official notices to several social media personalities, including Rajab Butt, Iqra Kanwal, and Muhammad Anas Ali, in connection with an ongoing investigation into the illegal promotion of gambling apps. The influencers were summoned to appear before the agency on September 9 for questioning.
According to sources, the influencers’ content convinced many citizens to invest in gambling platforms, resulting in losses worth crores of rupees. The agency believes these campaigns were part of a coordinated scheme to deceive the public and profit from commissions.
Rajab Butt, known as one of Pakistan’s most-followed YouTubers, is at the center of the inquiry. The NCCIA has accused him of:
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Promoting illegal online gambling platforms.
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Encouraging young viewers to engage in risky betting.
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Designing a digital scheme to loot public money under the guise of “trading” and “investment” promotions.
The official notice warned that failure to comply would be taken as an admission of guilt or unwillingness to defend against the charges.
