The National Cybercrime Investigation Agency has registered separate cases against three well-known social media influencers — Rajab Butt, Anas Ali, and Hurairah — accusing them of promoting gambling through betting applications and misleading their followers.
Cybercrime agency moves against influencers
According to officials, the cases were filed in Lahore under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA), fraud, and other relevant sections of law. The suspects were allegedly working as brand ambassadors for betting apps, encouraging ordinary people to invest money with promises of high returns.
Prior to legal action, the National Cybercrime Investigation Agency had issued formal notices to the influencers. Despite the warnings, they continued to advertise and promote gambling platforms on social media.
Citizens report heavy losses
Authorities said that these promotions persuaded thousands of common citizens to invest their savings into the gambling apps. As a result, people lost crores of rupees, raising alarm over the growing misuse of digital platforms for fraudulent schemes.
On Sept 6, the NCCIA issued formal notices to several prominent YouTubers and social media influencers in connection with an inquiry into the promotion of online gambling and betting applications.
Also Read: Rajab Butt, Iqra Kanwal summoned in online gambling promotion case
Rajab Butt, along with influencers Iqra Kanwal and Muhammad Anas Ali, had been directed to appear before the cybercrime agency on Sept 9. Written notices were dispatched, summoning them for questioning.
Rajab Butt, one of the country’s most-followed YouTubers, is at the center of the inquiry. The NCCIA has accused him of:
-
Encouraging youth to invest in online gambling apps.
-
Using his social media platforms to promote trading and betting applications.
-
Designing an organized scheme to mislead people and loot their hard-earned money.
The official notice warned that failure to appear would be taken as a presumption that he has “nothing to present or state in his defence.”
