Likes and Lies: Influencer Sandeepa Virk Arrested for Duping Customers via ‘Fake’ Beauty Products Site
Instagram influencer Sandeepa Virk, owner of the beauty products website hyboocare.com, was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in connection with an alleged money laundering case.
Virk, who has 1.2 million followers on Instagram, was taken into custody on August 12 after searches were conducted in Delhi and Mumbai under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002. A court remanded her to ED custody until August 14 for further investigation.
According to the ED, Virk is accused of misrepresentation, cheating, and acquiring properties through fraudulent means. “Allegations are that Virk and her associates exerted undue influence through misrepresentation and defrauded individuals by soliciting money under false pretences,” the agency said in a statement on Wednesday.
Sources said the ED registered a money laundering case based on a Punjab Police FIR. Investigators allege that hyboocare.com, promoted as a seller of “FDA-approved” beauty products, offered items that were either fake or non-existent. Virk reportedly duped customers and acquired immovable properties using the proceeds.
The website was reportedly dysfunctional, with no user registration feature, malfunctioning payment gateways, an inactive WhatsApp contact number, and minimal social media engagement.
“The limited product range, inflated pricing, false claims of FDA approval, and technical inconsistencies indicate that the website served as a front for laundering funds,” the ED alleged.
