In a recent development, Italy's biggest influencer, Chiara Ferragni, is now facing a fraud probe after making false claims regarding the use of pandoro cake sales to fund a children's hospital. The probe comes just weeks after Ferragni issued a public apology to her 30 million followers for the misleading information.

Last month, the Italian anti-trust authority fined Ferragni a hefty sum of 1 million euros. The authority accused her company of deceiving consumers into believing that the sales of limited edition Ferragni-branded pandoro Christmas cakes would contribute to a charitable cause at a Turin hospital.

According to Italian news agency LaPresse, Milan prosecutor Eugenio Fusco has now launched an investigation into Ferragni and the head of the cake company, Alessandra Balocco, for aggravated fraud. Ferragni's publicist has confirmed the news.

The incident, now known as the "pandoro-gate" scandal, has ignited a debate about the ethical behavior of influencers and their association with the products they endorse, particularly when claims of charitable donations are involved.

In response to the investigation, Ferragni released a statement expressing her confidence in the judiciary system and stating that she had always acted in good faith. She has vowed to cooperate fully with the ongoing investigation and clarify the details surrounding the case.

Ferragni, originally a fashion blogger, has expanded her brand into clothing, accessories, and makeup. Alongside her entrepreneurial endeavors, she has gained immense popularity as an influencer.

Last month, in a video posted on Instagram, Ferragni admitted to a "communications error" and announced that she would no longer link charitable work with commercial activities. As a gesture of apology, she pledged to donate 1 million euros to the Regina Margherita Hospital in Turin. However, she remains determined to challenge the imposed fine.

Despite Ferragni's efforts to rectify the situation, the scandal has attracted widespread negative publicity. Even Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni criticized those who profit from misleading charity claims, alluding to Ferragni without explicitly naming her.

The Italian anti-trust authority also fined Balocco, the cake company involved, 420,000 euros for creating the impression that a portion of the cake sales would benefit the Turin hospital. Balocco intends to appeal the fine.

It remains to be seen how the fraud probe against Ferragni will unravel. The controversy has highlighted the need for influencers to exercise transparency and responsibility when endorsing products, especially when charitable contributions are involved. As the investigation progresses, public scrutiny will likely intensify, putting Ferragni's reputation and credibility as an influencer on the line.