YouTuber Rajab Butt summoned by NCCIA in online gambling apps case

The National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) has summoned YouTuber Rajab Butt to appear before it on September 9 in connection with an inquiry into his alleged promotion of online gambling applications.

Butt, who commands one of the country’s largest following, has often found himself in the spotlight, previously facing criticism over his brief custody of a lion cub.

In a notice issued to him on Thursday, the NCCIA stated that he was allegedly “involved in financial scams through online trading apps, motivating youth to invest in online gambling apps, using social media platforms to promote gambling-related investments, and devising a scheme to deprive people of their hard-earned money by persuading them to invest in unregistered and unlicensed applications.”

The agency directed Butt to appear before NCCIA Assistant Director Shoaib Riaz at its Lahore office on Tuesday at 11am to record his statement. The notice warned that if he failed to appear, it would be presumed that he had no defence to present.

Also Read: Ducky Bhai to stay in NCCIA custody for another three days

According to reports, Barrister Mian Ali Ashfaq will represent Butt and submit a written response on his behalf on Tuesday. “Rajab Butt’s case is being examined from all legal angles and will be defended in accordance with the law,” Barrister Ashfaq said.

This summons follows the recent arrest of another well-known YouTuber, Saadur Rehman, popularly known as Ducky Bhai, who was taken into custody at Lahore airport last month after being accused of promoting online gambling and betting platforms.

The NCCIA registered the case in Lahore on August 17, just after midnight, under Sections 13 (Electronic Forgery), 14 (Electronic Fraud), 25 (Spamming) and 26 (Spoofing) of the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act, 2016, as well as Sections 294-B (Offering prize in connection with trade) and 420 (Cheating and dishonestly inducing delivery of property) of the Pakistan Penal Code.