The Cyber Cell of Delhi Police has summoned Bollywood actress Rhea Chakraborty on October 9 to join the investigation into an app-based scam. This case is related to ‘HIBOX’ mobile app, which made investors the victims of fraud of about Rs 500 crore. Police have called Riya for questioning at the Cyber Cell office in Dwarka. The app promised users assured returns on their investments, but in reality it became a facade for illegal activities.
Earlier this month, police said that more than 500 complaints have been filed against this app. The complainants allege that they were promoted by celebrities on social media to invest in this app. Nearly 30,000 people fell victim to this scam, who were promised quick profits from ‘mystery box’ shopping and investment schemes. IFSO unit busted a big organized gang running through this app, which was duping people by promising guaranteed returns. This fraud was promoted by many big social media influencers and YouTubers.
According to Delhi Police, many victims were introduced to the app when big YouTubers and influencers promoted it to their millions of followers. Other influencers under investigation in this scam include YouTubers Abhishek Malhan, Elvish Yadav, Lakshay Chaudhary, Purav Jha and comedian Bharti Singh. Delhi Police’s ‘Intelligence Fusion and Strategic Operations’ (IFSO) unit (Special Cell) had also issued notices to Abhishek Malhan, Elvish Yadav, Lakshya Chaudhary and Purav Jha to join the investigation. A total of nine influencers promoted this app. Many victims came to trust this platform after seeing the content promoted by these celebrities, thereby falling into the trap of fraud.
The app was introduced in February 2024. More than 30,000 people invested through the app. Police said that the main accused in the scam, Shivram (30), has already been arrested. He is a resident of Chennai. According to the complaint filed with the police, social media influencers and YouTubers including Saurav Joshi, Abhishek Malhan, Purav Jha, Elvish Yadav, Bharti Singh, Harsh Limbachiya, Lakshya Chaudhary, Adarsh Singh, Amit and Dilraj Singh Rawat promoted the said app and made it known to people. Were tempted to invest through this. “Haybox is a mobile app that was part of a well-planned scam,” the DCP said. The police, in a statement, also said it was probing the roles of two payment platforms – EasyBuzz and PhonePe.
