While posing as a nurse, a Massachusetts woman administered thousands of doses of fake Botox and other fillers that had been illegally smuggled into the United States.
Rebecca Fadanelli, 38, of Stoughton, was arrested Friday for illegally smuggling goods into the United States, selling or dispensing a counterfeit medication, and selling or dispensing a counterfeit device.
The glamorous beautician, who owns two spas in South Easton and Randolph, presented herself as a nurse to her clients when she collected just under $1 million for her alleged illegal services.
As of March 2021, Fadanelli ‘completed approximately 1,631 Botox appointments, totaling $522,869 in client payments, and 1,085 filler appointments, totaling $410,545 in client payments,’ federal prosecutors said.
Rebecca Fadanelli, 38, of Stoughton, was arrested Friday for illegally smuggling goods into the United States, selling or dispensing a counterfeit medication, and selling or dispensing a counterfeit device.
The glamorous beautician, who owns two spas in South Easton and Randolph, also posed as a nurse to her clients when she collected just under $1 million for her alleged illegal services. Pictured: Interior of Fadanelli’s Skin Beaute Med Spa
Fadanelli was unlicensed and uncertified when he administered thousands of illegal counterfeit Botox, Sculptra and Juvederm injections that he imported from China and Brazil, prosecutors revealed.
Fadanelli was unlicensed and uncertified when he administered thousands of illegal counterfeit Botox, Sculptra and Juvederm injections that he imported from China and Brazil, according to prosecutors. revealed.
The spa owner is also accused of purchasing $50 vials of Botox on Alibaba, a Chinese-owned online marketplace, for well below the market price of $650.
The allegations came after one of Fadanelli’s clients alerted investigators following an adverse reaction that included lip bumps and tingling after receiving a lip filler injection from a disgraced beautician in 2022.
The client, who remains unidentified, alleges that she never received a copy of the prescription for the substance she was injected with despite requesting it.
With suspicions mounting, agents investigating Fadanelli’s scheme later discovered that Homeland Security Investigations was also actively pursuing a case against the 38-year-old man.
Customs and Border Control had confiscated international packages sent to the “nurse” due to suspicions that the packages might contain illegal prescription drugs.
Investigators also say Fadanelli was caught returning from Brazil with illegal injectables at Massachusetts-based Logan Airport.
Investigators then searched the beautician’s spas where they discovered the fake cosmetics.
The allegations came after one of Fadanelli’s clients alerted investigators following an adverse reaction that included lip bumps and tingling after receiving a lip filler injection from a disgraced beautician in 2022.
The spa owner also faces up to 10 years in prison and another $250,000 fine on charges of knowingly selling or dispensing a counterfeit medication or device. Pictured: Inside Fadnelli’s Skin Beaute Med Spa
Fadanelli later admitted to the feds that he did, in fact, purchase the injectable drugs from the Chinese supplier, but did not know if they were approved by the FDA.
He did not enter a plea when he appeared in court on Friday, as he faces up to 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine on the charge of importing goods contrary to the law.
The spa owner also faces up to 10 years in prison and another $250,000 fine on charges of knowingly selling or dispensing a counterfeit drug or device.
“For years, Ms. Fadanelli allegedly put unsuspecting patients at risk by posing as a nurse and then administering thousands of illegal and counterfeit injections,” Acting U.S. Attorney Joshua Levy said in a statement. Press release.
“The type of deception alleged here is illegal, reckless and potentially deadly.”
