The National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) has summoned several well-known Pakistani social media influencers in connection with an online gambling and unlicensed trading scam that authorities claim is siphoning billions of rupees out of the country each month. Official documents reveal that NCCIA has directed YouTubers Mudassar Hassan, Muhammad Anas Ali, Iqra Kanwal, and Muhammad Husnain Shah to appear before investigators on September 2, 2025, at the agency’s Lahore office. The notice states that failure to comply will be treated as either forfeiture of the right to defend or tacit admission of involvement in the scam.
Investigators allege that these individuals used their platforms to promote and glamorize unlicensed trading and gambling applications, persuading youth to engage with platforms that lack regulatory approval. By projecting such services as profitable and legitimate, influencers are accused of running coordinated campaigns that misled the public into risky investments. According to NCCIA officials, these promotions were not random endorsements but structured marketing efforts funded by operators of illegal applications designed to exploit public trust and maximize reach among Pakistan’s growing online population.
Central to the inquiry is the betting platform “World 777,” which whistleblowers have identified as one of the biggest financiers of influencer-driven campaigns across Pakistan. NCCIA reports indicate that the platform aggressively funded sponsored content to target younger audiences, drawing thousands of unsuspecting users into unregulated betting and trading activities. This has not only created a shadow digital economy but also sparked concerns over financial losses and rising gambling addiction. The scheme, officials say, thrives on the aspirational influence of popular personalities who present these apps as gateways to easy income without disclosing their unlawful nature.
Authorities have also linked other high-profile figures to the promotion of World 777 and similar platforms. Those named include media personality Mathira, YouTuber Nadir Ali, Aimen Zaman, Varda Malik, Javeria Aurangzeb, Abeera Khan, Faryal Fairy, and Nauman Kazmi. While these individuals have not yet been summoned, their association with such campaigns is under scrutiny as investigators widen the scope of the probe. NCCIA estimates that billions of rupees are being drained from Pakistan every month through these channels, creating serious concerns about financial stability. Officials have warned that the unchecked growth of these platforms undermines state oversight of financial systems while exposing vulnerable communities to fraud and addiction.
By issuing summons to the first set of influencers, NCCIA has signaled its intent to hold digital personalities accountable for their role in enabling unregulated gambling and trading schemes. The agency stresses that public figures carry a responsibility to avoid amplifying harmful financial practices and that those found complicit could face serious legal consequences. The case continues to develop as investigators collect further evidence and evaluate the scale of the scam.
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