Passports And Assets Of High-Profile Influencers Seized In Massive Money-Laundering Investigation
A shady story involving 10 social media influencers, a fashion and beauty website and money-laundering has come to the fore.
AED360 million in assets have reportedly been frozen and passports belonging to ten social media influencers have been seized in connection to money-laundering. Among them, listed are Fouz Al Fahad, Abdulwahab Al Essa (CEO of Boutiqaat), Dana Al Tuwarish, and Farah Al Hady who have a combined total of over ten million followers on Instagram.
Their assets were seized for their specific involvement with Kuwaiti eCommerce platform Boutiqaat after it was reported the platform was being used for money-laundering, according to Smashi, an Arabic business streaming channel. The website denies the accusation.
Fouz Al Fahad aka TheRealFouz is one of the most high-profile names linked to the reports
https://www.instagram.com/p/CCn8YIrn8af/
Assets including yachts and watches have been frozen
Boutiqaat is an online retail store where the influencer becomes the sellar and influencers can launch stores, upload products they like, and then sell directly to their fans.
Reports suggest that along with the assets of the influencers, the accounts of Boutiqaat have also been frozen and its offices have been raided.
Following stacks of media attention, Boutiqaat released this statement stating they do not accept accusations of money-laundering and they will fully cooperate to reach the truth
The statement claims Boutiqaat is proud of its integrity and they say they put Kuwait on the map of online shopping. The site is fully prepared to cooperate with The Public Prosecution to reach the truth. The statement adds they don’t accept to be associated with money laundering.
https://twitter.com/boutiqaat/status/1287801704600293379?s=20
Other influencers who used the platform for sales have now distanced themselves, including Taim Al Falasi, an Emirati influencer who has no involvement with the above case
The story was reported by Smashi TV. See it here.
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