The Fall of Jawed Habib: From Celebrity Stylist to Multi-Crore Scam Controversy

Jawed Habib is best known for snipping, styling, and making Bollywood stars look red-carpet ready for decades. Jawed Habib is one of India's most celebrated hairstylists, but nowadays he has been trending for all the wrong reasons.

From viral workshop antics to multi-crore crypto fraud allegations, the man known for giving tresses a perfect twist has found himself entangled in controversies that no amount of hairspray can fix. 

In this article, we will explore how the alleged crypto scam unfolded, the claims made by victims, Jawed Habib’s response, and the ongoing investigation into one of the most shocking controversies surrounding a celebrity hairstylist in India.

Scissors, Style, and a Century-Old Legacy - The Story Behind Jawed Habib’s Family
How did Jawed Habib become a Global Icon?
A Surprising Turn - Entering Politics
Jawed Habib’s Bitcoin Scam Row - What Really Happened?
Victims Break Their Silence on the Alleged Fraud
Lawyer Claims Habib Is Unwell, Police Demand Personal Statement
Allegations - Investors Promised 10x Returns
Police Demand Cooperation
Habib’s Response - “We Have Full Faith in the Judiciary”
The Infamous “Spitting” Controversy

Scissors, Style, and a Century-Old Legacy - The Story Behind Jawed Habib’s Family

Jawed Habib, born on June 26, 1963, belongs to a family known for its long-standing hairstyling heritage. His family had been in the grooming business for generations, long before he ever held a pair of scissors.

His grandfather, Nazir Ahmed, was a celebrated hairdresser who styled some of the most powerful people in history, including British viceroys Lord Linlithgow and Lord Mountbatten, as well as India’s first Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru.

Carrying this legacy forward, Jawed’s father, Habib Ahmed, worked at Rashtrapati Bhavan, where he styled the country’s top leaders. He was the creative hand behind Indira Gandhi’s iconic two-toned hairstyle and Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam’s distinctive silver hair, both of which became symbols of their personalities and leadership.

How did Jawed Habib become a Global Icon?

Jawed Habib began his professional journey in 1984 by joining his father’s salon at The Oberoi Hotel, New Delhi. However, he wasn’t content with just carrying forward the family legacy; he wanted to modernize it.

He flew to London and trained at the Morris School of Hairdressing, where he learned international techniques and trends. When he returned to India, he had a vision: to make hairstyling a respected profession rather than just a service.

That dream took shape as Jawed Habib Hair and Beauty Ltd, now one of India’s most recognized salon chains. With hundreds of outlets across the country, his brand became synonymous with style and sophistication.

Habib’s fame skyrocketed as he became a Bollywood favorite, styling stars like Shah Rukh Khan, Salman Khan, Aishwarya Rai, Kareena Kapoor, Shahid Kapoor, Ranveer Singh, Neha Dhupia, and Amrita Rao. 

He even served as the official hairstylist for the Femina Miss India pageant, cementing his reputation as India’s most trusted stylist.

A Surprising Turn - Entering Politics

In April 2019, Jawed Habib made headlines again, this time, not for a haircut but for his political ambitions. He officially joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), signaling a new chapter in his public life.

While the move raised eyebrows, Habib stated that his goal was to “serve the people and promote skill-based professions in India.”

Jawed Habib’s Bitcoin Scam Row - What Really Happened?

Celebrity hairstylist Jawed Habib has claimed he is unwell after being named in a major Bitcoin investment scam that allegedly duped investors with promises of sky-high returns. According to reports, the Sambhal Police in Uttar Pradesh registered 32 FIRs against Habib, his son Anos, and their associates for allegedly duping more than 100 investors through Follicle Global Company (FLC).

Victims claimed they were promised returns of 50–75% on investments made via Bitcoin and Binance Coin. What began as a hair and beauty seminar in 2023 at the Royal Palace Venkat Hall in Sambhal soon turned into a crypto investment pitch. Investors say they never saw their money again, even after two years.

Sambhal Superintendent of Police Krishna Kumar Bishnoi confirmed, “They took around INR 5–7 lakh from each investor, claiming high returns. Even after two and a half years, no one received a single rupee back.”

Authorities have since issued lookout notices to prevent Habib and his family from leaving the country. His lawyer, Pawan Kumar, responded that Habib was “unwell, grieving his father’s death, and fully cooperating with the police.”

Investigations into his properties in Delhi and Mumbai are ongoing, and the police may invoke the Gangster Act if sufficient evidence emerges.

Victims Break Their Silence on the Alleged Fraud

The cryptocurrency case involving Jawed Habib has left hundreds of investors devastated, many of whom are now coming forward to share their experiences.

One such victim, Mohd Hilal, a 22-year-old AC mechanic from Sambhal, recounted his ordeal to The Times of India. He said he invested INR 4.59 lakh after attending a local event where Jawed Habib, his son Anos, and associate Saifullah were all present.

“They told us we could earn huge profits by investing in 8–10 listed companies,” Hilal shared.

Trusting their words, he paid INR 1.5 lakh online and the remaining amount in cash, hoping for an INR 35,000 monthly return and the promise of getting back his full investment within three months.

But things didn’t go as planned. “Whenever I asked about the returns, they kept delaying and making excuses,” Hilal said, describing the mounting frustration shared by many others who invested their hard-earned money.

Lawyer Claims Habib Is Unwell, Police Demand Personal Statement

On Sunday, Habib’s lawyer, Pawan Kumar, met local police officials and submitted medical documents stating that the hairstylist was unwell and unable to appear in person. However, police officials insisted that Habib must record his statement himself before the investigation can proceed further.

Allegations - Investors Promised 10x Returns

According to police sources, Jawed Habib, his son Anos, and an associate allegedly collected between INR 5–7 lakh from multiple investors, promising tenfold returns through Bitcoin investments. The scheme was reportedly operated under the banner of a company called Follicle Global Company (FLC).

However, even after several years, no promised returns were delivered, leaving investors furious and prompting dozens of complaints.

Police Demand Cooperation

According to Govind Kumar, the in-charge of the local police station, the accused were served notices to appear for questioning. “Habib’s advocate met us on Sunday, but we informed him that Habib must personally record his statement,” the SHO said.

Habib’s Response - “We Have Full Faith in the Judiciary”

Habib’s lawyer, Pawan Kumar, stated that his client was grieving his father’s recent passing and was suffering from cardiac issues, which made it difficult for him to appear in person. Despite this, the lawyer emphasized that Habib is cooperating fully with the authorities.

“We have complete faith in the judiciary and the Constitution of India. The allegations are under investigation, and we are ready to cooperate at every stage,” Kumar added.

The Infamous “Spitting” Controversy

Before the crypto case, Habib was no stranger to controversy. In January 2022, he made headlines for an incident that went viral for all the wrong reasons. During a hair workshop in Muzaffarnagar, a video surfaced showing him spitting on a woman’s head as part of a demonstration. In the clip, he’s heard saying, “If there is a shortage of water, use saliva.”

The act triggered national outrage and an FIR under Section 355 of the IPC and the Epidemic Diseases Act, 1897. The National Commission for Women (NCW) quickly intervened, urging police to investigate. The woman, Pooja Gupta, later shared her experience online, writing,

“I attended Jawed Habib’s workshop. He invited me to the stage and said if there’s no water, you can use saliva. From now on, I’ll go to my local barber — never to Habib.”

Faced with backlash, Habib issued a public apology, saying,

“These workshops are meant to be humorous and engaging. I never intended to hurt anyone. If you are truly hurt, I sincerely apologise from the bottom of my heart.”

Conclusion

From styling Bollywood icons and political leaders to building one of India’s biggest salon empires, Jawed Habib’s journey was once a story of ambition, innovation, and success. But recent years have taken a sharp turn; from viral controversies to serious legal battles, his once-flawless public image now stands on shaky ground.

The multi-crore cryptocurrency scam allegations have not only shocked the beauty industry but also raised questions about how a brand built on trust could get entangled in financial deceit. As the investigation unfolds, it remains to be seen whether Habib can reclaim his credibility or if this controversy will permanently stain a legacy that took generations to build.

FAQs

Who is Jawed Habib?

Jawed Habib is one of India’s most renowned hairstylists and entrepreneurs, best known for styling Bollywood celebrities and political leaders. He is the founder of Jawed Habib Hair and Beauty Ltd, one of the largest salon chains in India.

What is the Jawed Habib crypto scam controversy?

The Jawed Habib crypto scam refers to allegations that he, along with his son Anos and associates, duped over 100 investors through a fake Bitcoin investment scheme under Follicle Global Company (FLC).

How has Jawed Habib responded to the Bitcoin fraud allegations?

Jawed Habib’s lawyer, Pawan Kumar, has stated that Habib is currently unwell and grieving his father’s death. He claims Habib is cooperating fully with the authorities and has “complete faith in the judiciary.”