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The Federal Investigation Agency’s Anti-Corruption Circle in Lahore has uncovered a potential cryptocurrency link in the ongoing Rs90 million bribery case against nine NCCIA officials .
According to FIR No. 36/2025, registered on October 27, 2025, the FIA inquiry found that Assistant Director Shoaib Riaz allegedly transferred $326,420 (Rs91,724,020) from the accounts of Saad ur Rehman alias Ducky Bhai to his own account via the Binance cryptocurrency platform. The transfer was allegedly part of a broader scheme involving bribes and extortion by NCCIA officials.
Out of the total Rs90 million bribe amount, Rs5 million was kept by Shoaib Riaz at the Carzone showroom owned by a close friend of Deputy Director Zawar Ahmed, Rs5 million by Muhammad Usman, Rs5 million by lawyer Chaudhry Usman, Rs2 million by Shoaib Riaz himself, Rs1.5 million was handed to his front man Salman Aziz, and Rs1.05 million was delivered to Additional Director Sarfraz Chaudhry.
The NCCIA initially apprehended Ducky Bhai on August 17, 2025, at Lahore Airport on charges of promoting illegal online gambling and betting platforms, including Binomo, 1xBet, and Bet365. He was accused of using his social media channels to endorse these applications for personal financial gain, allegedly defrauding users in the process. The agency booked him under several provisions of the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) 2016 and the Pakistan Penal Code.
The complaint, filed by Saad ur Rehman’s wife, Aroob Jatoi, claimed that FIA’s National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency officers demanded and received Rs90 million from her family to provide relief in her husband’s case. The money was reportedly collected through front men and intermediaries at multiple locations, including Sheikhupura.
FIA Suspects Bribe Money Was Converted into Cryptocurrency
FIA officials suspect that a portion of the funds was converted into cryptocurrency to conceal financial traces. This revelation adds a new layer to the ongoing anti-corruption probe, as it links conventional bribery with digital asset transfers, which are harder to trace through traditional banking systems.
Sources told TechJuice that FIA’s digital forensics team will examine Binance wallet records and transaction histories to verify the alleged transfer. Investigators are also reviewing the role of other NCCIA officers and associates accused of participating in the extortion network.
The case has been registered under sections 109, 161 PPC and 5(2)47 PCA, with Assistant Director Syed Zain Ul Abidin of FIA/ACC Lahore leading the investigation. Officials said further action would be taken once the digital money trail is confirmed.
The NCCIA has faced growing criticism and pressure over its alleged misuse of authority, with the Punjab government considering the formation of a new cybercrime wing to replace the agency. Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz recently granted her approval for the establishment of the wing during a high-level meeting.
This development comes as the authorities concerned continue to debate the potential legalization of cryptocurrency. However, reports of government officials allegedly using Binance for personal gain highlight that Pakistan still has a long way to go before it can safely and effectively adopt digital currency as legal tender.
