The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has arrested social media influencer and entrepreneur Sandeepa Virk in connection with a money laundering case. Virk, who has over 1.2 million followers on Instagram, is the founder of skincare brand Hybookare. She describes herself as an actress and cosmetologist.
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According to the agency, Virk was taken into custody on August 12 under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002. She has been remanded to ED custody until August 14 by a special court.
Raids Conducted in Delhi and Mumbai
On August 12 and 13, the ED conducted search operations at multiple locations in Delhi and Mumbai. These searches targeted Virk and her associates.
The agency alleges that Virk used her website as a façade for money laundering activities. According to officials, she lured people with false promises and misrepresented facts to obtain funds.
The ED has stated that Virk’s business operations were a cover for obtaining money under false pretenses. The agency also claimed she used her influencer status to create credibility among potential victims.
Allegations of Fraud and Misrepresentation
Investigators allege that Virk and her associates solicited funds by making misleading claims. She is accused of exerting undue influence and seeking money on fabricated grounds.
The ED’s statement suggests that the website she promoted for selling skincare products served as a front for illicit transactions.
Links to Former Reliance Capital Director
According to ED officials, Virk was in contact with Angarai Natarajan Sethuraman, a former director of Reliance Capital Limited.
In 2018, approximately ₹18 crore of public funds were allegedly disbursed to Sethuraman in violation of prudent lending norms by Reliance Commercial Finance Limited (RCFL).
The money laundering case originates from an FIR registered by Punjab Police. The ED believes this public money was part of the laundering scheme under investigation.
Sethuraman Denies Allegations
Sethuraman, in a statement, dismissed all allegations as baseless. He denied having any personal or professional relationship with Virk. He also claimed no involvement in any transactions linked to her or her company.
Court Proceedings and ED Custody
Following her arrest, Virk was presented before a special PMLA court, which granted the ED custody until August 14. This custody period will be used to interrogate her and gather more evidence about the alleged transactions.
The agency will examine bank records, digital communication, and business contracts to verify the allegations. Statements from other suspects and potential victims will also be recorded.
About Sandeepa Virk
Sandeepa Virk gained popularity on Instagram with over 1.2 million followers. She has promoted herself as an actress, entrepreneur, and skincare expert. Hybookare, her skincare brand, was marketed as an online platform for beauty products.
The ED claims the brand’s operations were only a front, with its real purpose being the movement of funds through suspicious transactions.
The ED’s probe will continue in coordination with Punjab Police and other relevant agencies. If charges are proven, Virk could face severe legal consequences under the PMLA, including imprisonment and heavy fines.
Officials have hinted that more arrests could follow as the investigation expands into her associates and financial networks.
