FIR links officers to illegal payments, crypto transfers, and collusion with YouTuber Ducky Bhai’s lawyer.
A Lahore court has extended by three days the physical remand of six officials from the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) in a high-profile corruption case involving alleged misuse of authority, extortion, and acceptance of bribes.
The case stems from a complaint filed by Aroob Jatoi, wife of YouTuber Saadur Rehman, popularly known as Ducky Bhai, who was arrested earlier for allegedly promoting gambling apps on social media.
FIA Expands Investigation
The FIA Anti-Corruption Circle Lahore registered the case against nine individuals, including eight NCCIA officers. Six of them — Lahore NCCIA Additional Director Sarfraz Chaudhry, Deputy Director (acting in charge) Zawar Ahmad, Assistant Directors Shoaib Riaz and Mujtaba Zafar, and Sub-Inspectors Ali Raza and Yasir Ramzan — were remanded into custody.
The accused were presented before Judicial Magistrate Naeem Wattoo, where the FIA’s investigating officer sought an 11-day extension to complete the probe. The court, however, granted three additional days.
The judge noted that “heavy amounts” had already been recovered from all the suspects during the previous remand and that further investigation was necessary to trace additional funds and links.
The court order stated: “Progress has been made. The contention of the investigating officer looks plausible for further physical remand due to said heavy amount recoveries. The contention of counsels to discharge the accused persons at this stage looks not plausible.”
FIR Details and Allegations
The FIR was registered under Sections 109 and 161 of the Pakistan Penal Code, read with Section 5(2)47 of the Prevention of Corruption Act, concerning public servants’ misconduct and gratification other than legal remuneration.
It alleged that Assistant Director Shoaib Riaz, who led the inquiry against Ducky Bhai, misused his authority to extort Rs9 million from Rehman’s family, with the help of frontmen and in collusion with Rehman’s lawyer, Chaudhry Usman.
According to the FIR:
- Rs6 million were allegedly taken for “providing relief” to Aroob Jatoi.
- Rs3 million more were demanded to secure judicial remand instead of physical custody.
- Rs6 million were received in cash in Sheikhupura through an associate named Salman Aziz, while the remaining Rs3 million came through three cheques of Rs1 million each via another intermediary, Shehbaz.
The FIR further stated that Riaz distributed the illicit proceeds as follows:
- Rs5 million to a friend of Deputy Director Zawar Ahmad.
- Rs500,000 each to Salman Aziz, lawyer Usman, and Additional Director Sarfraz.
- Rs2 million kept by Riaz himself.
It was also alleged that Riaz transferred $326,420 from Rehman’s account to his own using Binance, a cryptocurrency platform.
Network of Corruption
The FIR alleged that the accused officers operated as part of a larger bribery network within the NCCIA, regularly taking monthly bribes from call centers and online fraud operators. The collected sums were allegedly shared with senior officers in Islamabad through intermediaries.
Funds were said to be sent via Muhammad Usman, Deputy Director (Operations) in Islamabad, and Ayaz Khan, Deputy Director of NCCIA Islamabad.
Sarfraz and Zawar allegedly handed over Rs1 million each month to these officials, who then forwarded the money to “higher-ups.”
The investigation is being led by Assistant Director Syed Zainul Abideen of the FIA Anti-Corruption Circle Lahore.
Ongoing Developments
FIA officials described the case as a major white-collar crime, involving organized extortion, bribery, and misuse of official authority.
The six officers will remain in FIA custody until Monday, when they will be produced again before the court.
The agency has hinted that more arrests could follow as it expands the investigation into the NCCIA’s internal network and its alleged role in protecting digital fraud operations in exchange for kickbacks.