The Delhi Police have summoned Bollywood actor Rhea Chakraborty, comedian Bharti Singh, and her husband Harsh Limbachiyaa in connection with an alleged Rs 500 crore app-based fraud. Officials say the trio has been requested to join the probe next week.
The Delhi Police announced that they had detected a scam involving a mobile app called HIBOX, which reportedly lured users into investing money with promises of big returns. The app, which was released in February 2024, acquired popularity through advertising by numerous social media personalities and YouTubers. So far, over 500 complaints have been lodged, with victims alleging that they were duped into investing money based on these promotions.
Rhea Chakraborty, Bharti Singh, and Harsh Limbachiyaa are among those who endorsed the app, according to an officer involved in the investigation. The Intelligence Fusion and Strategic Operations (IFSO) unit has issued notices to them, urging their cooperation in the ongoing probe.
In addition to these celebrities, several other influencers and content creators, including Abhishek Malhan, Elvish Yadav, Lakshay Choudhary, Purav Jha, Saurav Joshi, Adarsh Singh, Amit, and Dilraj Singh Rawat, have been named in the investigation. The police allege that these individuals promoted HIBOX on social media, which attracted over 30,000 investors. The app promised users guaranteed returns ranging from one to five per cent daily, leading to potential monthly returns of 30 to 90 per cent.
On Friday, Abhishek Malhan, Elvish Yadav, Lakshay Choudhary, and Purav Jha were summoned by the Delhi Police but reportedly did not appear for questioning. The investigation is ongoing, with authorities determined to bring those responsible to justice.
The prime accused, Sivaram, a 30-year-old resident of Chennai, has already been arrested. Police are continuing to gather evidence and expect more revelations in the days to come as they look into the roles of the influencers who allegedly promoted the fraudulent app.
As the case unfolds, questions about the responsibility of social media influencers and celebrities in promoting potentially fraudulent schemes are gaining attention, with many investors demanding accountability for their financial losses.
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Source: Financial Express
