Four NCCIA Officers Resign Following FIA Arrests in High-Profile Corruption Case

The Ministry of Interior has approved the resignations of four National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency officers amid a major corruption scandal involving alleged bribery, extortion, and misuse of authority in high-profile cybercrime cases. The scandal centers on allegations that senior NCCIA officials demanded large bribes to provide relief in active cybercrime investigations, including cases involving YouTuber Saad Ur Rehman, known as Ducky Bhai, and online trading platforms such as Quotex and trader Abu Huraira.

According to official sources, the Secretary of the Ministry of Interior formally approved the resignations, which took effect from November 20. The move came as pressure mounted following multiple corruption complaints against NCCIA officers.

Those who stepped down include Deputy Director Sarfraz Chaudhry, Assistant Director Muhammad Usman, Assistant Director Shoaib Riaz, and Assistant Director Asma Majeed. The approvals coincided with intensified investigations at the federal level.

Earlier, the Federal Investigation Agency arrested four NCCIA officers, including former Additional Director Sarfaraz Chaudhry. The FIA booked them on charges of bribery, misuse of authority, and illegal facilitation in an active cybercrime case.

FIA officials said the arrests followed a complaint filed by Arob Jatoi, the wife of YouTuber Saad Ur Rehman, widely known as Ducky Bhai. Investigators allege the accused officers demanded illegal payments to provide relief in the case.

The First Information Report states that Rs 9 million was allegedly received from Ducky Bhai’s family. Authorities claim the payment was made in exchange for favorable treatment and case-related relief.

The controversy has grown further due to separate allegations involving the online trading sector. Recent claims of a Rs 2 crore bribe in the Quotex and Abu Huraira trading case have intensified concerns about NCCIA’s oversight role.

The case has highlighted broader challenges faced by the NCCIA as it struggles to regulate Pakistan’s rapidly expanding and largely unregulated online trading ecosystem. Industry observers say weak enforcement has created space for abuse of authority.

Sources within the FIA confirmed that the arrested officers remain in custody. Authorities are scheduled to present them before the Lahore District Court today for further legal proceedings.

The scandal has drawn significant public attention due to the high-profile complainants and the scale of alleged corruption. Meanwhile, officials say the inquiry remains ongoing, and further developments are expected as the FIA expands the scope of its probe.