The arrest of Ducky Bhai should not shock anyone. For years, many YouTubers and influencers in Pakistan have been selling false dreams to their audiences. Betting apps dressed up as “online trading platforms” were promoted like golden tickets to wealth. In reality, they are nothing but digital casinos designed to empty the pockets of ordinary youngsters.
Ducky Bhai’s case is just the tip of the iceberg. Influencers who enjoy the trust of millions of followers know exactly what they are doing when they take money from shady sponsors. They cash in on blind faith, fully aware that most of their fans are teenagers or struggling students looking for hope. When these youngsters lose money, the influencer’s commission has already been pocketed. That is not creativity; it is exploitation.
Unfortunately, the real tragedy is the shift in our youth’s mindset. Once, the dream was to become a doctor, an engineer, a lawyer, or a teacher—professions that demand patience and study but build society. Now, many see content creation and risky “online trading” as shortcuts to fame and fortune. The result is wasted potential: empty classrooms, unfulfilled careers, and families drowning in losses.
The state must respond firmly. Regulators should ban such apps outright and hold every promoter accountable, no matter how famous. Social media companies cannot remain silent while their platforms are misused for fraud. Most importantly, influencers must be reminded that with followers comes responsibility. Trust is not a toy to be sold to the highest bidder.
Ducky Bhai’s downfall is a warning. If Pakistan’s youth continue to believe in shortcuts sold by influencers, they will keep losing both money and future. True success has no quick button—it is built through skill, honesty, and years of hard work.