"Bharti Singh and Social Media Stars Under Scrutiny for Promoting HIBOX Scam"

In a shocking turn of events, Elvish Yadav, the winner of Bigg Boss OTT 2, and renowned comedian Bharti Singh, have been summoned by the Delhi Police for their alleged involvement in a massive ₹500 crore app-based scam. The police summons come after over 500 complaints were filed, accusing various influencers and YouTubers of promoting and endorsing the HIBOX mobile application, which promised lucrative returns on investments but turned out to be a fraudulent scheme.

The HIBOX Scam: What Went Wrong?
The HIBOX mobile application, launched in February 2024, initially gained traction as influencers and social media personalities, including Elvish Yadav, Bharti Singh, Saurav Joshi, Abhishek Malhan, and others, promoted it on their platforms. These promotions enticed more than 30,000 people to invest their money, lured by the promise of guaranteed returns ranging from 1 to 5 percent per day—equating to an attractive 30 to 90 percent per month. However, by July, investors started facing issues as payments from the app were delayed, citing technological glitches and legal complications.

This sudden halt in payouts raised red flags, leading to several complaints being filed against the app’s promoters. The police investigation revealed that the companies behind the HIBOX app had shut down their offices in Noida, Uttar Pradesh, and disappeared, leaving investors in the lurch. Hemant Tiwari, Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) of the IFSO Special Cell, disclosed that the primary suspect, Sivaram, had been apprehended and ₹18 crore was seized from his four bank accounts. Despite this, the sheer scale of the scam has left thousands of people financially devastated.

The Role of Influencers and YouTubers
The investigation into the HIBOX scam has widened, and the spotlight is on the involvement of social media influencers and YouTubers who played a crucial role in marketing the fraudulent app. Elvish Yadav, Bharti Singh, and other well-known personalities such as Harsh Limbachiya, Lakshay Choudhary, and Dilraj Singh Rawat, were alleged to have actively promoted the app, encouraging their followers to invest in it.

The influencers’ immense reach and credibility made them a key component in drawing unsuspecting investors into the scam. According to the Delhi Police, many of these influencers pushed the app to their followers without verifying the legitimacy of the company behind it.

Elvish Yadav’s Troubled Past
Elvish Yadav, who made history by becoming the first wildcard contestant to win Bigg Boss OTT 2, is no stranger to controversy. Before his Bigg Boss victory, Yadav’s name was linked to another major investigation by the Enforcement Directorate (ED). His assets were tied to singer Fazilpuria during a probe, with properties located in Uttar Pradesh and Haryana. The ED also questioned Yadav as part of a broader investigation related to money laundering.

Adding to his legal woes, Yadav had previously been detained by Noida police for his alleged involvement in the sale of snake venom, a charge that further damaged his public image. Despite these controversies, Yadav’s popularity soared after his Bigg Boss win. However, his involvement in the HIBOX scam could severely impact his career and reputation.

Bharti Singh’s Alleged Involvement
Comedian Bharti Singh, known for her humorous presence on television, was also summoned as part of the investigation. While she and her husband, Harsh Limbachiya, have not been directly accused of any fraudulent activities, their promotion of the HIBOX app has put them under scrutiny. The police are investigating the extent of their involvement and whether they knowingly promoted the app despite its dubious background.

The HIBOX scam has once again highlighted the potential dangers of blindly following influencer endorsements. While the legal process is still underway, the involvement of high-profile figures like Elvish Yadav and Bharti Singh has put the spotlight on the responsibilities of influencers when promoting financial products. As investigations continue, the victims of the ₹500 crore fraud await justice, hoping for swift action against those responsible for the scam.

This case serves as a stark reminder to investors to exercise caution when engaging with investment platforms promoted through social media. It also raises important questions about the accountability of influencers in promoting products or services that may have harmful consequences for their audience.