In 2025, the rise of deepfake technology has created a new wave of cyber scams in India, exploiting the trust people place in their favorite celebrities. According to McAfee’s annual “Most Dangerous Celebrity: Deepfake Deception List,” Bollywood megastar Shah Rukh Khan has become the most impersonated celebrity used in fraudulent AI-generated endorsements and scams, closely followed by stars like Priyanka Chopra Jonas and Alia Bhatt. International figures such as Elon Musk and Cristiano Ronaldo also rank high among the exploited personalities.
How Do These Scams Work?
Cybercriminals use artificial intelligence to craft deepfake videos or audio that convincingly mimic celebrities’ voices, faces, and gestures. These fake endorsements promote fraudulent giveaways, fake product promotions, or direct victims to scam websites, phishing links, and malicious downloads. The trust in familiar faces makes it easier for scammers to deceive millions of online users into transferring money or sharing sensitive data.
Impact in India
The report highlights that almost 90% of Indians have encountered fake or AI-generated celebrity endorsements in 2025. The average loss per victim reported is around ₹34,000. Younger and middle-aged digital users (aged 25 to 44) are most vulnerable to these scams, with about 60% admitting to clicking on fake celebrity advertisements online. Older users tend to be more skeptical but remain at risk due to the sophistication of deepfakes.
Celebrities Are Victims, Not Perpetrators
Importantly, McAfee emphasizes that celebrities themselves are targets of such scams and not responsible for these deceptive contents. Several Indian actors including Akshay Kumar, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, and Amitabh Bachchan have taken legal actions to protect their digital identities against unauthorized uses.
Protecting Yourself Against Deepfake Scams
McAfee has developed a Deepfake Detector tool to help individuals analyze suspicious communications or videos for authenticity. Experts recommend being cautious about unexpected endorsements, verifying official social media channels, and avoiding clicking on links or offers that seem too good to be true.
Conclusion
Deepfake scams represent a fast-evolving cyber threat exploiting India’s love for celebrities like Shah Rukh Khan and Priyanka Chopra. Increasing public awareness, technological vigilance, and legal measures are vital to safeguard individuals from falling prey to these sophisticated digital frauds.
