Influencer Fraud Probe Widens: Top Pakistani YouTubers Summoned Over Scam Apps

ISLAMABAD – After the interrogation of popular YouTuber Ducky Bhai (Saad ur Rehman), the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) has summoned several more prominent social media influencers in connection with the promotion of fraudulent online trading and gambling apps.

According to official sources, the influencers — including Iqra Kanwal of Sistrology, Muhammad Anas Ali, Muhammad Hasnain Shah, Mudasar Hasan, and Nadeem Mubarak (widely known as Nadeem Nani Wala) — have been called to appear before the NCCIA on September 2.

The investigation centers on allegations that these digital content creators endorsed unregulated and potentially illegal financial platforms, misleading their audiences — many of them young and impressionable — with promises of high returns and instant wealth. Victims claim they lost significant amounts of money after investing in the promoted apps.

“This is not just about unethical advertising. We are looking into possible complicity in online financial fraud,” an NCCIA official stated, adding that the inquiry could expand further depending on the findings.

Authorities argue that by promoting these apps, influencers lent credibility to platforms operating outside regulatory frameworks. If proven that the influencers knowingly collaborated in such schemes, they could face serious legal consequences under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) — including fines, content bans, and possible jail time.

Some influencers have privately suggested they were misled by third-party marketing agencies and were unaware of the apps’ fraudulent nature. However, digital rights activists say that is not a sufficient defense.

“Influencers today are more than entertainers — they’re opinion leaders. Their endorsements carry weight and consequences. There must be accountability,” said a leading media watchdog.

Read more: YouTuber Iqra Kanwal Summoned in Digital Fraud Probe

The scandal has reignited debate over the lack of advertising oversight and financial literacy among online audiences. In recent years, Pakistan has seen a spike in “get-rich-quick” platforms, often using social media creators to lure users into risky or illegal schemes.

As the investigation continues, the case is likely to set a precedent for influencer responsibility in Pakistan’s digital ecosystem.