Online trading influencers fuel big promises in Pakistan, but a viral dispute exposes how unregulated schemes can lead to massive losses.Online trading in Pakistan has surged over the past few years, driven largely by social media influencers on YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok who sell the promise of fast profits and financial freedom. Channels and personas such as “Earn with Rashid” and “Perfect Trader” have amassed large audiences by showcasing luxury lifestyles and claiming consistent returns. […]
Online trading in Pakistan has surged over the past few years, driven largely by social media influencers on YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok who sell the promise of fast profits and financial freedom. Channels and personas such as “Earn with Rashid” and “Perfect Trader” have amassed large audiences by showcasing luxury lifestyles and claiming consistent returns. Behind the marketing, however, lies a growing trail of losses, disputes, and accusations, with ordinary investors often left bearing the cost.
One of the most discussed controversies in recent weeks involves Abu Huraira and Samad, the owner of Al Faisal Malls, a retail business with several branches across Pakistan. The issue gained traction after Samad appeared on a podcast, where he detailed what he described as a trading arrangement that spiraled into a financial disaster, allegedly costing him and others close to Rs 30 crore.
