LAHORE: The National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) has summoned several high-profile YouTubers and social media influencers in connection with a major financial scam involving illegal online trading and gambling platforms.

Those summoned include Mudassar Hassan, Muhammad Anas Ali, Iqra Kanwal, and Muhammad Husnain Shah, all of whom have been ordered to appear in person at the NCCIA Lahore office on September 2, 2025.

According to investigators, the influencers played a key role in promoting unregulated betting and trading apps—allegedly luring thousands of young Pakistanis into high-risk financial traps under the guise of investment opportunities. Authorities claim the group helped glamorize the platforms through coordinated social media campaigns, misleading followers and legitimizing illegal operations.

The whistleblower-linked investigation centers around a controversial app called World 777, which is reported to have bankrolled large influencer marketing campaigns to aggressively target Pakistani youth. NCCIA officials believe billions of rupees are siphoned out of the country each month through such apps, contributing to a growing shadow economy and increasing financial vulnerability among citizens.

The list of personalities linked to these campaigns continues to grow, with prominent names such as Mathira, Nadir Ali, Aimen Zaman, Varda Malik, Javeria Aurangzeb, Abeera Khan, Faryal Fairy, and Nauman Kazmi also under scrutiny.

In a related case, a Lahore court has extended the physical remand of YouTuber Saadur Rehman (Ducky Bhai) for an additional four days. Arrested on August 16 at Lahore airport, Ducky Bhai is accused of promoting gambling apps such as Binomo, 1xBet, Bet365, and B9 Game. Investigators have retrieved 27 video links from his accounts endorsing these platforms, many of which have since been deleted.

He faces charges under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) 2016, including electronic fraud and forgery, as well as relevant sections of the Pakistan Penal Code. He will remain in custody until at least September 1 as investigations continue.

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The NCCIA has warned that failure to appear in response to official summons will be treated as an admission of guilt or a forfeiture of the right to defense.

As the case unfolds, it signals a major crackdown on digital financial crimes in Pakistan and could mark a turning point in how influencers are held accountable for the platforms they promote.