Italy’s most influential blogger, Chiara Ferragni, could face up to five years in prison if found guilty of fraud.

The influencer is accused of misleading her followers while selling a limited holiday edition of Christmas pandoro cakes.

In December 2023, Italy’s competition watchdog AGCM fined the 37-year-old Chiara more than one million euros. The AGCM investigation found that consumers were deceived into believing that by purchasing a Ferragni-branded pandoro, they were contributing to charity for a children’s hospital.

Pandoro is an alternative to the more famous panettone. Ferragni’s pandoro was sold for €9, more than double its usual price at the dessert manufacturer.

AGCM also fined the cake manufacturer Balocco €420,000. According to the regulator, Balocco had made a one-time donation of €50,000 to the hospital several months before launching Pandoro Pink Christmas, meaning that product sales did not actually impact the charitable contribution.

Instead, consumers believed they were helping to fund the purchase of a new therapeutic machine for children suffering from osteosarcoma and Ewing’s sarcoma (bone cancer).

The report also states that Ferragni made no personal donations to the hospital, while her companies received €1 million from Balocco for the branding initiative and associated promotional activities.

Ferragni now faces a criminal trial, where a final guilty verdict could result in a prison sentence of one to five years. The first court hearing is set for September 23.

Chiara called the fraud charges «deeply unfair» adding that she «sincerely believed that there was no need for a trial to prove that she never deceived anyone.» She also stated that she is «ready to fight with even greater determination to prove her absolute innocence.»

Ferragni has 28.6 million followers on Instagram. Her business empire, which generates €60 million per year, includes fashion, footwear, and accessories production, online consulting, jewelry, and cosmetics.

 Photo:Instagram @chiaraferragni