2 min read
The illegal betting crackdown has intensified in Pakistan as another social media influencer was arrested for promoting unregulated betting and trading platforms online.
Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) officials confirmed that Asad Nadeem Mughal was detained at Lahore’s Allama Iqbal International Airport after arriving from Sharjah on a private plane. His name flagged during passport scanning, leading to an immediate arrest.
Authorities suspect that Asad maintained close ties with Ducky Bhai, a high-profile influencer already in custody over his alleged role in the online betting scandal that has rocked Pakistan’s digital landscape. Several other influencers remain under investigation as the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) continues its probe.
In a related move, YouTube vlogger Rajab Butt has also become a target, with NCCIA formally registering a case against him for allegedly promoting gambling apps to his online audience.
The controversy first erupted with the arrest of Ducky Bhai, who remains incarcerated as courts hear multiple cases over his suspected involvement in endorsing betting websites. Investigators are now expanding the scope of the inquiry as scrutiny on influencers grows.
As part of the ongoing Pakistan illegal betting crackdown, NCCIA has declared 46 mobile betting applications illegal, including global platforms such as 1xBet, Dafabet, Bet365, 22Bet, Aviator Games, and Casumo. These apps are accused of fueling illegal gambling and supporting unregulated digital financial networks that endanger both users and the national economy.
With more arrests, blacklisted apps, and expanding investigations, the scandal is quickly emerging as one of the largest cybercrime operations in Pakistan’s history.
