Elon Musk, Alia Bhatt, Messi, Shah Rukh Khan Among Top Deepfake Targets in India: How You Could Be at Risk

McAfee has unveiled its annual "Most Dangerous Celebrity: Deepfake Deception List," spotlighting how scammers misuse celebrity identities for fraud. This research, conducted in August 2025, surveyed 8,600 adults from countries including India, revealing Shah Rukh Khan as the most exploited celebrity. Alia Bhatt and Elon Musk follow closely. Their likenesses are used in AI-generated deepfakes for fake endorsements and phishing scams.

In India, a staggering 90% of participants reported encountering fake or AI-generated celebrity endorsements. The average financial loss from these scams was Rs. 34,500. Notably, 60% of respondents came across deepfakes involving online influencers, not just mainstream celebrities. Scammers can craft convincing deepfakes with merely three seconds of audio.

McAfee Reveals the Celebs Criminals Exploit Most in India

Photo Credit: McAfee

Common Scam Types and Vulnerable Groups

Scams often involve skincare promotions (42%), giveaways (41%), and crypto schemes (40%). India's high social media engagement makes users vulnerable. WhatsApp usage is at 95%, YouTube at 94%, and Instagram at 84%. Younger age groups are particularly at risk; 62% of those aged 35-44 and 60% of those aged 25-34 clicked on fake ads.

As people age, scepticism increases: only 46% of individuals aged 45-54 and a mere 17% over the age of 65 fell for scams. This highlights the need for increased awareness among younger demographics who are more active online.

Top Celebrities Targeted in India

The list of most targeted celebrities in India includes Shah Rukh Khan, Alia Bhatt, Elon Musk, Priyanka Chopra Jonas, Cristiano Ronaldo, MrBeast, Lionel Messi, Taylor Swift, Kim Kardashian, and BTS members. These figures' popularity makes them prime targets for scammers looking to exploit their influence.

Pratim Mukherjee from McAfee commented on the situation: "Deepfakes have changed the game for cybercriminals; they're no longer hacking systems - they're hacking human trust." The ease with which technology can mimic voices and faces poses a significant threat in a country where millions engage with celebrity content daily.

Protective Measures Against Deepfake Scams

McAfee offers AI-powered tools like the Deepfake Detector to scrutinise text and videos for manipulation signs. Users should pause before clicking on content that seems too good to be true and verify information on official accounts. Look out for off-sync lip movements or robotic tones as signs of AI manipulation.

Avoid sharing personal or payment details through messages even if they appear verified. McAfee's Scam Detector scans texts and emails for scam indicators. These tools help users verify content before engaging with it or making purchases.

The report underscores how deepfakes exploit trust in celebrities while posing financial risks to consumers. In a nation with vibrant celebrity culture and massive online engagement, such threats are particularly dangerous. Awareness and reliable protection tools are crucial as distinguishing real from fake becomes increasingly challenging.

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