A wellness influencer is accused of stealing more than $2.3 million from two high-powered real estate investors she touted as her “role models” during a brazen three-year scheme — using the cash to finance her beauty business and splurge on designer goods, luxury home décor and a personal shopper, according to a report.
Bobbi Vargas, 46, was nabbed Wednesday after police discovered she used five credit cards belonging to finance gurus Grant and Elena Cardone to make nearly $450,000 in fraudulent Amazon purchases between April 2021 and March 2024, according to a Las Vegas Metro police report obtained by KLAS.
Police said the Bodel wellness brand founder, whose real name is Bobbi Awad, funded a PayPal account using nearly $2 million she swiped from the couple’s credit cards.
“This pattern of financial transactions showed Awad used a front company (Bodella LLC) to launder the proceeds of this theft,” police wrote in the report, per the outlet.
Court documents showed that Vargas, who has more than 202,000 followers on Instagram, used the couple’s money to make 7,400 online purchases, including a brick pizza oven, an 83-inch television and a dual-range gas stove.
The lifestyle entrepreneur — who publicly regarded the big-wig duo who endorsed President Trump as “role models” on social media — also used their capital on $169,000 worth of designer products, with 147 payments totaling around $800,000 on her business and employees, police said.
A personal shopper, housekeeper, electrician and a contractor were among those on her payroll, with other funds spent at stores like Pottery Barn, Net-a-Porter and eBay.
A third victim — identified only as a “friend” — also told police that Vargas allegedly stuffed fake currency inside a shoebox to repay a $100,000 loan, the outlet reported.
Detectives “contacted propmoney.com” and found the alleged fraudster purchased a total of $103,000 in various denominations,” which was delivered to her home three days before she met with the third victim, court records showed.
Police launched their more than yearlong investigation after American Express notified Elena Cardone, a self-described role model entrepreneur, about suspicious transactions on her credit card, including 10 Amazon gift cards sent to Vargas, the outlet reported.
Vargas is charged with 19 felonies, including six counts of theft exceeding $100,000, four counts of attempted money laundering and one count of obtaining a credit or debit card without owner’s consent.
She was released from custody after appearing in Las Vegas Justice Court — with the judge issuing a stern warning.
“The first problem I have with you will be the last problem I have with you,” Judge Eric Goodman cautioned during their court appearance, the outlet reported.
“I’ll put you into custody. I’ll keep you in custody.”
Vargas took to Instagram Friday night to assure her followers that “there’s always two sides to a story.”
She faces more than 20 years behind bars if convicted.
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