Houston ‘influencer’ going through backlash from prospects for not refunding cash

HOUSTON – He has a singular expertise within the make-up artist trade, in accordance with lots of his followers, however dozens of ladies declare he ripped them off.

Social media influencer, “Bennibeauty” boasts about 150,000 followers on Instagram, however not too long ago disconnected his account from public view.

The person behind the Instagram deal with is 38-year-old Benjamin Sanchez, a Houstonian.

Sanchez has fallen out of favor with a few of his followers after a sample of providing courses, amassing cash, after which failing to indicate as much as educate the courses, in accordance with his critics.

Sanchez vehemently denies the declare and has not been charged with a criminal offense.

However a change.org petition signed by greater than 2,500 individuals identifies Sanchez as repeatedly failing to ship on promised make-up courses, after would-be contributors paid for them, in some instances, lots of of {dollars}.

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The web petition urges on-line fee portals, akin to “Money App” and “Zelle” to refund prospects who paid for courses and tutorials prematurely, however by no means acquired them. These kinds of direct fee apps, not often reimburse prospects for issues encountered with a vendor.

“I didn’t notice what number of different victims had been on the market. After which as soon as I began entering into it, it wasn’t identical to one or two women that had been saying that they had been additionally scammed by him, it was like dozens and dozens of women. I had over 70 one thing individuals attain out to me,” Leila Vonsleicter, a make-up artist in Las Vegas, stated.

Vonsleicter, referred to as “Sincitymua” on Instagram and Youtube, has a big and constant Instagram following.

She has used her platform a number of occasions, to convey consideration to Sanchez’s alleged misdeeds.

Houston social media influencer, Wealthy Lux, aka “Richlux713,” has additionally highlighted the issues that individuals have come throughout in making an attempt to take courses with Sanchez.

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“I used to be getting messages from lots of of women telling me that they’ve been scammed out of lots of of {dollars} for signing up for make-up courses. So, they’re paying this man for instructing on-line make-up courses, make-up courses in particular person, after which he would cancel or not present up in any respect,” Wealthy Lux stated.

Sanchez agreed to an interview with KPRC2 Investigates, over the telephone, after which once more by textual content. However later backed out of the assembly.

He wrote the next through textual content:

“Hey, how are you? I’ve given it some thought and going to have to say no the supply to fulfill you to debate one thing I’ve no management over, the client who reached out to you guys is greater than welcome to finish her programs she has declined to take. I’ve been serving the Houston neighborhood for over 8 years and these unlucky issues occur when the shopper isn’t comfortable. It’s past my management, however what I can do is supply anybody who feels they’ve been stripped of my service to succeed in out through e mail and are available take the programs I supply, I’ve on-line and likewise in particular person! Thanks on your time, I’ve connected my e mail @bennibeautty@icloud.com please relay the message, a lot appreciated!”

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A fast google search of “Bennibeauty” reveals a sampling of the issues that Sanchez’s prospects have encountered.

Earlier than doing enterprise with any particular person or firm, whatever the entity’s perceived popularity, seek for evaluations of the particular person, product, or service on the web.

Additionally, be leery of people that ask for a fee, particularly fee in full, earlier than a services or products is delivered.

Don’t be lured by individuals or corporations that promise a reduction should you “act now”.

Lastly, and importantly, it’s subsequent to unattainable to get refunds from the apps used to finish the net transactions with Sanchez.

Shoppers ought to consider “Zelle” and “Money App” as paying in money, fairly than a bank card. Disputes with distributors not often result in reimbursement from these fee platforms.