The National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) has issued formal notices to several prominent YouTubers and social media influencers in connection with an inquiry into the promotion of online gambling and betting applications.

According to official documents, YouTuber Rajab Butt, along with influencers Iqra Kanwal and Muhammad Anas Ali, has been directed to appear before the cyber crime agency on September 9. Written notices were dispatched earlier this week, summoning them for questioning.

Rajab Butt, one of the country’s most-followed YouTubers, is at the center of the inquiry. The NCCIA has accused him of:

Encouraging youth to invest in online gambling apps.
Using his social media platforms to promote trading and betting applications.
Designing an organized scheme to mislead people and loot their hard-earned money.

The official notice warned that failure to appear would be taken as a presumption that he has “nothing to present or state in his defence.”

Legal defence

Rajab Butt’s lawyer, Barrister Mian Ali Ashfaq said that his client will be represented by their law firm. A detailed written response is scheduled to be submitted on September 9.

“Rajab Butt’s case is being reviewed from all aspects, and he will defend himself fully in accordance with the law,” Ashfaq added.

This summons follows the recent arrest of another well-known YouTuber, Saad-ur-Rehman alias Ducky Bhai, from Lahore Airport last month. He was taken into custody after the NCCIA registered a case against him for promoting gambling and betting applications.

Ducky Bhai has remained in custody since then. His physical remand was extended for another three days on Thursday, with investigators also accusing him of uploading obscene content on social media.