Wellness influencer allegedly stole $2.3M from prominent real estate investor ‘role models’ to splurge on designer goods, personal shopper

Bobbi Vargas, a wellness influencer known for her Bodel brand, has been accused of defrauding over $2.3 million from prominent real estate investors Grant and Elena Cardone. The alleged scheme involved using the couple’s credit cards for nearly $450,000 in Amazon purchases and funneling around $2 million into a PayPal account under a front company, Bodella LLC. Vargas, who publicly admired the Cardones as her 'role models,' reportedly used the funds to support her beauty business and lavish lifestyle, including buying designer goods and hiring various personal services. She faces 19 felony charges, including theft and attempted money laundering, with potential penalties exceeding 20 years in prison.
The case highlights the potential vulnerabilities in financial transactions and the trust placed in public figures. It began unraveling when American Express flagged suspicious activities on Elena Cardone's credit card, leading to a year-long investigation by Las Vegas police. Vargas, who has a significant social media following, took to Instagram to defend herself, suggesting there are two sides to the story. The incident underscores the significance of vigilance in financial dealings and the possible legal repercussions for fraudulent activities, especially when involving high-profile victims.
RATING
The article provides a detailed account of the allegations against Bobbi Vargas, focusing on her alleged fraudulent activities involving significant financial theft from the Cardones. It is well-supported by credible sources such as police reports and court documents, contributing to its accuracy and reliability. However, the story could benefit from additional perspectives, particularly from Vargas or her legal representatives, to enhance balance and provide a fuller picture of the situation.
The article is timely and addresses a topic of public interest, given the involvement of a social media influencer and the significant financial implications. Its clear language and logical structure ensure readability, making it accessible to a wide audience. While the story covers a potentially controversial topic, it maintains a neutral tone and avoids sensationalism.
Overall, the article effectively communicates the key points of the story, but further verification of certain details and inclusion of diverse perspectives would enhance its quality and comprehensiveness.
RATING DETAILS
The story presents a detailed account of the alleged fraudulent activities involving Bobbi Vargas and the Cardones. It specifies the amount of money involved, the duration of the alleged fraud, and the nature of the purchases made with the stolen funds. These details are supported by references to police reports and court documents. However, some aspects, such as the exact nature of the relationship between Vargas and the Cardones, require further verification. Additionally, the timeline mentioned in the story, extending to March 2024, seems inconsistent with the current date, suggesting a potential error. Overall, while the story is largely supported by official sources, some elements need additional confirmation to ensure complete accuracy.
The story primarily focuses on the accusations against Bobbi Vargas, providing a detailed account of her alleged fraudulent activities. It includes perspectives from law enforcement and court documents but lacks a direct response from Vargas or her legal representatives, aside from a brief mention of her Instagram statement. This omission may lead to a perception of bias, as the story does not fully explore Vargas's side of the story or any potential defenses she might have. Including more perspectives from Vargas or her supporters could enhance the balance of the article.
The article is well-structured and presents information in a logical and coherent manner. It clearly outlines the key events and details related to the alleged fraud, making it easy for readers to follow the narrative. The language is straightforward, and the tone remains neutral throughout the piece. However, the mention of a future date (March 2024) may confuse readers and should be clarified to maintain consistency. Overall, the article is clear and effectively communicates the main points of the story.
The article relies on credible sources such as police reports, court documents, and statements from a Las Vegas Metro police report obtained by KLAS. These sources are authoritative and provide a solid foundation for the claims made in the story. However, the article could benefit from additional sources, such as statements from Vargas's legal team or other involved parties, to provide a more comprehensive view of the situation. Overall, the sources used are reliable, but the inclusion of more diverse perspectives would enhance the article's credibility.
The article provides a clear account of the sources used, such as police reports and court documents, which adds to its transparency. However, it does not offer much insight into the methodology used to gather this information or any potential conflicts of interest that might affect the reporting. While the story references specific documents and reports, it could improve transparency by explaining how these documents were obtained and whether any additional context or background information was considered in the reporting process.
Sources
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