Rhea Chakraborty summoned by Delhi police over ₹500 crore Hibox app scam

Rhea Chakraborty has been summoned by the Delhi Police’s Intelligence Fusion and Strategic Operations (IFSO) unit regarding her involvement in the HIBOX app scam, which has defrauded investors of nearly ₹500 crore. The actress, along with other influencers including Elvish Yadav, Bharti Singh, Abhishek Malhan, Lakshay Choudhary, and Purav Jha, is scheduled to appear for questioning at the cyber cell office in Dwarka on October 9, 2024.

The HIBOX mobile application, launched in February 2024, promised investors daily returns ranging from 1 to 5 percent. The app attracted around 30,000 individuals who were lured in by the endorsements of these popular social media personalities. However, after initially delivering returns, HIBOX ceased payments by July, citing technical and legal challenges, which raised alarms among its investors.

The IFSO unit has identified HIBOX as part of a well-organized scheme that exploited influencer marketing to gain credibility. The police investigation led to the arrest of Sivaram, the alleged mastermind behind the operation, and the seizure of ₹18 crore from various linked bank accounts. Over 500 complaints have been filed against the app, highlighting the widespread impact of the scam on unsuspecting investors. As the investigation progresses, the focus remains on the influencers who promoted HIBOX, including Chakraborty.