Fake Beauty Products Scam: Influencer Arrested in Multi-Crore Fraud, ED Exposes Dark Side of India’s Booming Makeup Market

If you love hunting for makeup deals online, beware! A shocking expose reveals the hidden dangers lurking behind glamorous Instagram posts and irresistible offers. The Enforcement Directorate (ED) recently arrested a popular social media influencer, Sandeepa Virkh—with over 1.2 million Instagram followers—for selling fake beauty products through a fraudulent website, trapping unsuspecting consumers in a multi-crore scam.

The Glamourous Facade

Sandeepa Virkh presented herself as the owner of hbook care.com—an alleged FDA-approved beauty platform. On Instagram, she posted glossy makeup tutorials, brand endorsements, and eye-catching reels, quickly amassing a massive fanbase. However, beneath this veneer, ED discovered a much darker reality.

The website, the investigation revealed, was neither properly registered nor reliable. Payment gateways were dubious, the company’s location was untraceable, and customer support lines were non-functional. It was only after a Punjab FIR for fraud (under IPC sections 406 and 420) that the unraveling began.

Big Connections, Bigger Fraud

ED’s probe also uncovered links between Sandeepa and Anjarei Natarajan Seturaman, a former director at Reliance Capital Limited. Their correspondence allegedly involved illegal fund transfers, misuse of corporate loans (including an unsecured ₹18 crore loan and a questionable ₹22 crore home loan), and laundering of funds through fake cosmetic sales.

A Wake-up Call for Beauty Shoppers

Sandeepa’s arrest exposes an urgent public health warning. Indian customers—often lured by cheap prices and influencer endorsements—risk not only their wallets but also their skin and health. Counterfeit cosmetics can cause severe skin reactions, long-term damage, and contribute to the country’s growing gray market.

India’s Makeup Boom: Opportunity and Risk

With India’s beauty market expected to reach ₹1.5 lakh crore by 2025, and women and men monthly spending anywhere from ₹3,000 to ₹12,000 on grooming, the stakes have never been higher. As market demand outpaces supply and competition tightens, unscrupulous sellers see a golden chance to peddle fakes.

How to Protect Yourself

Always check for FDA or appropriate regulatory certification on any beauty product.
Verify websites, seller credentials, and reviews.
Avoid deals that sound too good to be true.
Purchase from trusted, well-known platforms and physical stores.
If in doubt, consult a dermatologist before trying new products.

Conclusion

This scandal is a wakeup call: behind the glitz of influencer marketing, customers must stay vigilant. One wrong purchase could rob you of your money—and your skin’s glow. Always verify before you buy.

Have you ever received a fake cosmetic? Share your story below and help warn others!

Stay beautiful, but stay safe.