Italian influencer Chiara Ferragni, with 29.5 million Instagram followers, is now under investigation for aggravated fraud after misleading claims that sales of a limited edition pandoro Christmas cake would fund a children's hospital. This comes after she was fined 1 million euros by Italy's anti-trust authority last month. The scandal has raised questions about the relationship between influencers and the products they promote, especially when claims of charitable donations are involved. Ferragni has apologized and pledged to donate 1 million euros to the hospital, but maintains that she acted in good faith and plans to challenge the fine.
Italian influencer Chiara Ferragni has been fined $1.2 million by competition watchdog AGCM for misleading her 30 million followers into thinking sales of a cake she was promoting would go to charity. Ferragni blamed a "communications error" and pledged an additional $1.1 million to a children's cancer hospital involved in the bogus promotion. Cake maker Balocco was also fined $460,000 for its alleged role in the scam. Ferragni apologized and pledged to make a large donation to the hospital at the center of the scandal.
Italy's biggest influencer, Chiara Ferragni, has been fined one million euros by Italy's anti-trust authority for misleading claims related to the sales of a Christmas cake that she said would raise money for children with bone cancer. Ferragni, who has nearly 30 million followers on Instagram, promoted the cake as a charity initiative, but it was revealed that only a small portion of the proceeds would actually go to the hospital. She has made a public apology and plans to donate one million euros to the hospital, but also intends to challenge the fine. The case has attracted significant negative publicity and criticism, including from Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni.
Italian influencer Chiara Ferragni has been fined by Italy's anti-trust authority for falsely claiming that proceeds from a Christmas cake sale would be donated to a children's hospital. Companies controlled by Ferragni were fined over €1 million, while the cake manufacturer made a modest donation months before the promotional campaign. No donations were made from the cake sale proceeds. Ferragni apologized and pledged to donate €1 million of her own money to the hospital, but her offer was criticized as insincere. She plans to appeal the ruling and said she would give the difference to charity if her fine is reduced.
Italian fashion influencer Chiara Ferragni has apologized after being fined 1 million euros by Italy's anti-trust authority for improperly communicating a charitable contribution tied to sales of a Christmas cake sold with her logo. Ferragni pledged to donate the fine amount to a hospital in Turin but stated that she would challenge the fine itself. The anti-trust agency also fined Balocco, the cake manufacturer, for misleading consumers about the charitable donations. Ferragni, who started as a fashion blogger and now runs her own brand, said she would no longer link charity with commercial activities.
Italian fashion influencer Chiara Ferragni has apologized and been fined 1 million euros by Italy's anti-trust authority for improperly communicating a charitable contribution tied to sales of a Christmas cake with her logo. Ferragni pledged to donate the fine amount to a hospital in Turin but plans to challenge the fine. The agency also fined Balocco, the cake manufacturer, 420,000 euros for misleading consumers about the charitable donations. Ferragni admitted to not providing sufficient oversight and stated she would no longer link charity with commercial activities.
Italian fashion influencer Chiara Ferragni has apologized after misleading her followers by promoting a Christmas cake as a charity initiative. She admitted to a "communications error" and will donate €1m to a children's hospital. Ferragni was fined by Italy's competition watchdog, and her businesses were issued a €1.075m fine. She plans to appeal the fine and will top up her donation if she receives a reduction. The cake company, Balocco, was also fined €420,000.
Italian influencer Chiara Ferragni has apologized for misleading consumers by claiming that sales of a "designer" pink pandoro cake would support a children's hospital in Turin. Ferragni, who has nearly 30 million Instagram followers, was fined €1.075m for the false advertising. The cake's producer had already donated money to the hospital before launching the product. Ferragni has promised to donate €1m to the hospital and plans to appeal the ruling and fine. Consumer group Codacons is seeking compensation for those who bought the cake under the false impression that it would benefit the hospital.
Fashion influencer Chiara Ferragni has apologized to her 30 million Instagram followers for misleading them with a charity claim related to a limited-edition Christmas cake. She was fined over a million euros by Italy's competition watchdog for the misleading claim. Ferragni has pledged to donate an additional million euros to a children's hospital and plans to appeal the fine. The cake maker involved in the controversy was also fined. Consumers believed their purchase would contribute to a children's hospital, but the investigation found that the sales had no effect on charity donations.
Italian fashion influencer Chiara Ferragni and cake maker Balocco have been fined a total of €1.5 million ($1.65 million) by Italy's antitrust authority for misleading customers over charity donations linked to sales of a Christmas cake. The regulator found that advertising and higher pricing led consumers to believe that buying the cake would directly contribute to a charity for bone cancer research, when in fact no money was donated. Ferragni, who has nearly 30 million Instagram followers, plans to appeal the fine, while Balocco also disagrees with the penalty.
