The Delhi Police’s IFSO wing has summoned Bollywood actor Rhea Chakraborty in connection with a fraudulent app-based scam that defrauded people of ₹500 crore. She has been asked to appear for questioning on October 9.
Similarly, comedian Bharti Singh and YouTuber Elvish Yadav have also received notices from the Delhi Police.
According to DCP (IFSO) Hemant Tiwari, over 127 complaints were filed alleging that several influencers and YouTubers promoted the mobile app HIBOX on their platforms, encouraging people to invest. The app was part of a scam, promising daily returns between one to five percent, translating to a monthly yield of 30% to 90%.
App’s Launch and Investor Experience
Launched in February, HIBOX initially delivered solid returns to investors. However, by July, it halted payments, citing technical difficulties and legal issues. “Over 30,000 individuals invested in this application,” stated the DCP.
Notices have also been sent to influencers like Saurav Joshi, Abhishek Malhan, Purav Jha, Harsh Limbachiya, Lakshay Choudhary, Adarsh Singh, and Amit and Dilraj Singh Rawat. The main accused, Sivaram from Chennai, has been arrested, and ₹18 crore has been seized from his accounts.
Investigation into Financial Institutions
Authorities are examining the roles of Easebuzz and PhonePe, as these merchant accounts were reportedly used by the fraudsters. The police are also looking into the involvement of their employees due to lapses in verification and non-compliance with RBI guidelines.
Additionally, 20 other companies linked to HIBOX are being scrutinized for potential money laundering activities. This case underscores the dangers of following influencer endorsements without due diligence and highlights the need for caution when investing in unfamiliar schemes.
