Social media users are widely expressing support for a government crackdown on online gambling and the influencers who promote betting apps, amid an ongoing probe by the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA). Public outrage has intensified, with many calling for accountability and tougher laws, following numerous reports of young people suffering significant financial losses after investing in unregulated platforms promoted by these figures.
The NCCIA has escalated its investigation by summoning several high-profile influencers for questioning. Those issued official notices include Mudassar Hassan, Muhammad Anas Ali, Iqra Kanwal of “Sistrology,” and Muhammad Husnain Shah. They have been directed to appear at the NCCIA’s Lahore office, with authorities alleging they promoted unlicensed gambling and trading apps.
The notices accuse the influencers of designing orchestrated schemes to loot innocent people’s hard-earned money. One notice for Iqra Kanwal specifically detailed these allegations. Officials have warned that failure to comply with the summons will result in the forfeiture of their right to present a defense. This action follows the high-profile arrest of YouTuber Ducky Bhai at Lahore airport on August 16, whose physical remand was recently extended until September 1.
The public response on social media has been overwhelmingly in favor of the crackdown. Users have expressed satisfaction, with comments such as, “It’s time to crack down on these scams,” and “These influencers should be ashamed. They built their careers on trust and used it to exploit people.” Many are demanding permanent bans on the apps and severe penalties for the influencers who endorsed them, viewing the investigations as a necessary cleansing of deceptive practices from the digital sphere.
