Celebrity Stylist Jawed Habib, Son Booked in ₹7 Crore Bitcoin Scam

Celebrity hairstylist Jawed Habib—known for his signature cuts on Bollywood A-listers—and his son Anos Habib have been slapped with a staggering 32 First Information Reports (FIRs) in Uttar Pradesh's Sambhal district. A brazen financial fraud scheme that allegedly swindled locals out of Rs 5-7 crore under the guise of lucrative Bitcoin investments. What started as whispers of broken promises has erupted into a full-blown police probe, complete with lookout notices to keep the duo from fleeing the country.

The saga unfolded through Follicle Global Company (FLC), a venture spearheaded by Habib, his son, and associate Saiful. According to distraught investors from Sambhal, the trio dazzled them with visions of quick riches, promising jaw-dropping returns of 50-70% on modest investments. "They convinced us it was a foolproof Bitcoin buy-in," one anonymous victim told investigators, echoing the sentiments of dozens who've come forward. Each complainant claims they handed over Rs 5-7 lakh, lured by the allure of effortless wealth in the volatile crypto market. But two-and-a-half agonizing years later, not a single rupee has trickled back—not the principal, not the promised windfall. "We trusted a celebrity's name; now we're left with nothing but regret," another investor lamented to local media.

Sambhal's Superintendent of Police, Krishna Kumar Vishnoi, didn't mince words in addressing the uproar: "They took around Rs 5-7 lakh from each investor, claiming it would yield high returns, but even after two-and-a-half years, none of the investors received their money back." The Raia Satti police station, ground zero for the complaints, swung into action after a meticulous probe uncovered a pattern of deceit. Notices were swiftly issued to Jawed, Anos, and Saiful, summoning them for interrogation. When Habib's lawyer, Pawan Kumar, showed up instead—armed with medical certificates citing the stylist's heart issues and recent bereavement—the cops stood firm. "Habib must record his statement in person," declared station in-charge Govind Kumar, underscoring the gravity of the 32 FIRs now hanging over the family.

Also Read: NDA’s Bihar Battle: BJP and JD(U) Split 101 Seats Each, Chirag Paswan’s LJP Claims 29

Jawed Habib, a household name in India's beauty industry, built an empire on trust and transformation. From styling tresses for stars like Deepika Padukone and Shah Rukh Khan to franchising his salons across the nation, the 60-something Delhi native has long been synonymous with glamour. Yet, this isn't his first brush with controversy—past whispers of business disputes have trailed him, though nothing on this scale. His lawyer mounted a spirited defense, insisting, "My client has full faith in the judiciary and the Constitution. We believe the police will not act unjustly. The allegations are under investigation, and we are ready to cooperate at every stage." But with a national lookout circular in play, the Habibs' globe-trotting days seem clipped for now.

As the investigation deepens, questions swirl: Was FLC a legitimate crypto play gone awry, or a calculated Ponzi scheme exploiting Habib's star power? Financial experts warn that such "high-return" crypto pitches are red flags in India's tightening regulatory landscape, where the RBI and SEBI are cracking down on unregulated schemes. Victims, many middle-class families who saw Habib as a beacon of success, are rallying for justice, vowing not to rest until their savings are recovered. For now, Sambhal's streets buzz with betrayal, turning a tale of beauty into one of broken dreams.

Also Read: Daring Night Heist: ₹40 Lakh Gold Kalash Stolen from Delhi Temple