From Rashmika to Kohli: Celebrities Who Fall Prey to AI Deception
Pi-labs, a leader in cyberforensics leveraging AI to enhance law enforcement efficiency, has unveiled its list of the Top 10 victims of AI deepfakes in 2024. From celebrities to public figures, many have faced online backlash, with A-listers publicly denying fake videos and warning followers.
This year saw a surge in deepfakes due to easy-to-use AI tools capable of replicating real digital content within seconds. Specialized apps now generate deepfake videos, clone audio, and refine details with voice modulation and lip-syncing. India has also seen its share of victims, ranging from business tycoons to Bollywood stars and sports personalities. Deepfake fraud has now become one of India’s most urgent cybersecurity threats, with projected losses of ₹70,000 crore by 2025. Pi-labs’ report, “Digital Deception Epidemic: 2024 Report on Deepfake Fraud’s Toll on India,” reveals a 550% increase in deepfake-related cybercrime cases since 2019, highlighting their growing impact.
Ankush Tiwari, Founder & CEO of pi-labs.ai, stated, "Deepfakes are no longer just a technical issue—they undermine trust in the information we consume online. Addressing this requires concerted efforts on multiple levels."
Here are the top 10 celebrity victims who have been in the news:
Rashmika Mandanna
The popular actress became one of the first celebrities to draw attention to deepfakes. A viral deepfake video of Rashmika led to widespread commentary, with netizens identifying it as a manipulated video featuring British influencer Zara Patel. Delhi police arrested the creators. In response, Rashmika was appointed national ambassador for cyber safety by the Indian Cybercrime Coordination Centre (I4C).
Alia Bhatt
Alia Bhatt’s deepfake video, which appeared as part of the "Get Ready With Me" trend, amassed over 17 million views on Instagram. The hyper-realistic video caused alarm among social media users, with many concerned about the growing threat posed by AI-generated content.
Sachin Tendulkar
A deepfake of the cricket legend was circulated, in which he promoted an online gaming app, claiming his daughter earned money from it. Tendulkar had to clarify the video was fake, emphasizing the disturbing misuse of technology.
Rajat Sharma
India TV's anchor Rajat Sharma found himself targeted by deepfakes that promoted fake investment schemes in his name. He sought legal action to have the videos removed after being flooded with similar fraudulent content.
Mukesh Ambani
A viral deepfake of Mukesh Ambani falsely claimed he launched an AI trading app. The video led to significant financial losses for some, prompting Ambani to issue a denial and alert the public to the scam.
Madhusudan Kela
Investor Madhusudan Kela had to publicly deny deepfakes claiming to show his investment tips, which were used to manipulate the stock market.
Sudha Murthy
A deepfake audio and video of Sudha Murthy falsely promoted a crypto trading platform. This led to her husband, Narayan Murthy, also denying involvement with the fraudulent platform.
Shaktikanta Das
RBI Governor Shaktikanta Das’s image was exploited in deepfake videos promoting fake investment schemes. The Reserve Bank issued cautionary statements to the public about such fraudulent schemes.
Influencer Ira Sharma
Ira Sharma, a deepfake influencer created by AI tools, has gained attention for her seemingly harmless online persona. This highlights how deepfake technology can create entirely fictional individuals with real online followings.
Virat Kohli – Shubman Gill
A deepfake video of Virat Kohli criticizing Shubman Gill sparked online controversy. The video, which appeared to show Kohli belittling Gill, was debunked after gaining significant attention, leading to tension among fans.
These incidents reflect the growing threats posed by deepfake technology, and the urgent need for both technological and legal responses to combat the rise of digital deception.
