BOSTON – A Stoughton woman who owns spas at Easton and Randolph allegedly gave thousands of illegal fake Botox and filler injections since 2021. Rebecca Fadanelli, 38, was arrested Friday morning.
He appeared in federal court in Worcester and was charged with one count of unlawful importation, one count of selling or distributing a counterfeit drug and one count of selling or distributing a counterfeit device.
The U.S. Attorney for Massachusetts said Fadanelli, owner of Skin Beaute Med Spa, imported counterfeit Botox, Sculptra and Juvederm from China and Brazil. She allegedly administered thousands of injections to her clients and received over $900,000 in payments.
Fadanelli allegedly bought vials of Botox for $50 from Alibaba, far less than the $650 purchase price. He is a beautician but allegedly told clients and employees at the spas that he was a nurse.
The customer files a complaint with the FDA
According to court documentsin September 2022, a customer filed a complaint with the FDA after undergoing a “lip filler” procedure performed by Fadanelli at the spa in Randolph. The customer said Fadanelli used the same syringe to inject an unknown substance into her lips and between her eyebrows. The client then reported “bumps” on her lips and tingling on her forehead.
The client asked for the prescription for the dispensed substance but was never given it.
Agents then discovered that Homeland Security Investigations was investigating Fadanelli and that Customs and Border Patrol had seized international packages sent to her because they suspected the packages contained illegal prescription drugs.
Prosecutors say Fadanelli was also arrested at Logan Airport returning from Brazil with illegal injectables. When the feds searched the spa locations in Randolph and South Easton, they said they found fake cosmetics.
Fadanelli later admitted that she buys the injectable drugs from a Chinese supplier through Alibaba, but did not know if they were FDA-approved.
“Reckless and potentially life-threatening”
“For years, Ms. Fadanelli allegedly endangered unsuspecting patients by posing as a nurse and then administered thousands of illegal, counterfeit injections,” said Deputy United States Attorney Joshua Levy. “The type of fraud alleged here is illegal, reckless and potentially life-threatening.”
No plea was entered when Fadanelli appeared in court Friday. Conditions of her release include not hiring a nurse, not injecting and illegally selling counterfeit drugs.
For the charge of importing goods contrary to law, Fadanelli faces up to 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Charges of knowingly selling or distributing a counterfeit drug or device are punishable by up to 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
Prosecutors said anyone who believes they received a counterfeit drug from the spas should fill out a questionnaire on the FDA website.
Tammy Mutasa
