The Enforcement Directorate has arrested Sandeepa Virk, an Instagram influencer with 1.2 million followers, in a ₹40-crore money laundering case linked to cheating and criminal breach of trust. The case originated from an FIR in Mohali, where she was accused of duping people by soliciting money under false pretences.
ED officials allege Virk used a fake beauty products website, hyboocare.com, as a front to launder money, despite the platform having no real products, negligible online presence, and non-functional payment systems. Investigators also linked her to Angarai Natarajan Sethuraman, a former Reliance Capital director accused of irregular fund diversion, including a ₹22-crore home loan sanctioned in violation of lending norms.
During raids in Delhi and Mumbai, the ED seized documents and questioned multiple individuals. Virk was arrested on August 12 and remanded to ED custody until Friday. The agency says more people could be implicated as the probe continues.