Elvish Yadav, the winner of Bigg Boss OTT 2, and popular comedian Bharti Singh have been summoned by Delhi police as part of an investigation into a massive app-based scam valued at ₹500 crore. This action follows the receipt of over 500 complaints alleging that several influencers and YouTubers promoted the HIBOX mobile application, encouraging users to invest.
The investigation highlights prominent figures such as Saurav Joshi, Abhishek Malhan, Purav Jha, and others, including Yadav and Singh, actively endorsed the app, which launched in February this year and attracted over 30,000 investors. According to DCP Hemant Tiwari from the IFSO Special Cell, the app promised guaranteed returns ranging from 1% to 5% daily, translating to monthly returns of 30% to 90%. However, since July, the app has faced payment issues attributed to various technological and legal challenges.
Authorities report that the companies behind HIBOX disappeared after closing their Noida office, with police recently apprehending Sivaram, the alleged mastermind, and seizing ₹18 crore from his bank accounts.
Additionally, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) has previously linked Yadav’s assets to singer Fazilpuria in an ongoing investigation. Both Yadav and Fazilpuria have been questioned, with their statements recorded. Yadav has faced legal troubles before, including a prior arrest by Noida police for selling snake venom, leading to charges under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act.
