A Miami cosmetic injector who promoted herself as a “doctor” on Instagram was arrested during what she believed was a routine Botox appointment — only to discover the client in her chair was an undercover investigator.

Authorities say 31-year-old Mayling Maya-Giraldo was taken into custody on Feb. 19 at her studio following a sting operation led by the Florida Department of Health’s Medical Quality Assurance investigators.

According to court records, Maya-Giraldo now faces several charges, including practicing health care without a license, possession of a drug with intent to sell, manufacture or deliver, and misrepresenting a license.

The arrest unfolded during a Botox appointment arranged through Instagram.

Investigators say Maya-Giraldo ran her aesthetic business through the account @mayling.stetic, where she advertised cosmetic procedures such as Botox injections, lip fillers and Endolift laser treatments. The page also allegedly referred to her as a “doctor” in the profile bio.

According to an arrest affidavit, an undercover agent identified as N. Joseph contacted Maya-Giraldo through direct messages on Instagram to schedule an appointment.

During their exchange, Maya-Giraldo allegedly requested a photograph of the agent and recommended Botox injections in the forehead area.

Investigators say she told the agent the treatment would “eliminate your wrinkles and expression lines.”

The appointment was set, and the undercover investigator arrived at Maya-Giraldo’s studio on Feb. 19.

According to the affidavit, Maya-Giraldo charged the agent $450 for the cosmetic treatment, which the investigator paid as part of the operation.

Once inside the treatment room, Maya-Giraldo allegedly applied lidocaine — a numbing agent — to the agent’s forehead in preparation for the injection.

But the procedure never happened.

Before the injection could begin, members of the Medical Crimes Squad entered the building after receiving what authorities described as a “take-down signal.”

Investigators then questioned Maya-Giraldo about whether she held a license to practice medicine in Florida or anywhere else in the United States.

According to the affidavit, Maya-Giraldo admitted that she did not.

Instead, she allegedly told investigators she possessed certificates allowing her to inject Botox.

Authorities say those certificates do not legally authorize someone to perform medical injections.

Further investigation revealed another troubling detail.

The vial Maya-Giraldo allegedly planned to inject into the undercover investigator was not Botox approved for use in the United States.

Instead, the product was identified as Toxta, a botulinum toxin product manufactured in South Korea.

According to investigators, the drug is not approved for distribution or use in the United States and is considered an unregulated foreign product.

Officials say this raised additional concerns about the safety of the procedures being performed at the studio.

Following the confrontation, Maya-Giraldo was placed under arrest and transported to the Miami-Dade County Jail.

Court records show she has entered a written plea of not guilty to the charges.

Her arraignment is currently scheduled for April 20.

The case highlights the growing concerns around unlicensed cosmetic procedures promoted through social media platforms, where aesthetic treatments can be advertised directly to thousands of potential clients.

Authorities say consumers should carefully verify that any medical professional performing injections or cosmetic treatments is properly licensed and using approved products.