Stand-up comedian and Bigg Boss 17 champion Munawar Faruqui has ignited a major online conversation after sharing a series of videos where he detailed how he dodged a potential scam promotion. In his posts, he also took an indirect dig at fellow internet celebrity Elvish Yadav, suggesting involvement in similar dubious activities.
The Amsterdam Incident: A Shady Proposal
The controversy began when Munawar Faruqui, 33, was on a tour in Amsterdam. His manager received an unexpected call from an agency representing an NGO. The request was straightforward: promote a fundraising campaign for a child suffering from a rare disease by sharing a reel and a story on social media.
However, Munawar's instincts raised red flags. Upon inquiry, he discovered the agency was ready to pay his standard, hefty promotion fee. This detail shocked him. "We have never gambled. We don't sell tobacco or such products. So, I was shocked that what kind of business is this?" he questioned in the video. He reasoned that if an organization raising donations for a sick child could afford to pay influencers large sums, their need for funds was questionable.
"There will be treatment. It may be genuine or not. But where will the money go after the treatment?" he pondered, alleging a possible business motive behind the entire operation involving the NGO and the agency.
A Public Warning and a Veiled Dig
In a follow-up clip, Munawar issued a stern warning to his peers in the influencer community. He urged them to stay away from such promotions to avoid being part of potentially fraudulent campaigns. "Just putting it here so that those people who are doing such things must not do it," he stated, raising awareness about the gimmicks.
He drew a comparison to gambling, emphasizing the importance of ethics over money. "Everyone loves money. Even I love it. But I don't love it so much," he said, encouraging the public to make rational decisions and perform genuine acts of charity.
While Munawar did not name anyone directly, his remarks were quickly connected by social media users to Elvish Yadav, the YouTuber and Bigg Boss OTT winner, who has previously promoted similar charity fundraisers.
Elvish Yadav's Clarification
The indirect call-out did not go unnoticed. Elvish Yadav, 28, posted a clarification video on Saturday, addressing the circulating allegations that he accepted money from fraudulent fundraising agencies.
"I stay away from controversies nowadays, neither do I comment on anyone nor have I come to give a reply to anyone in this video but there was a need for this video," Elvish began. He firmly declared that he does not charge money for any charitable help. "If the people asking for money are ready to pay me then they obviously don't need money," he asserted, echoing Munawar's core argument.
He explained that JJ Communications, an old friend, had approached him with the agency. He denied any involvement in a scam, stating that he verified the provided documents and that bank transfers are traceable in the digital age, making large-scale fraud difficult.
The online spat has highlighted the murky world of influencer-led charity promotions, putting a spotlight on the due diligence required before endorsing any cause. Both celebrities now stand on opposite sides of a debate concerning ethics, authenticity, and responsibility in the digital fundraising space.
