Cybercriminals are increasingly using the names of popular Indian celebrities to deceive people online. They create fraudulent websites, videos, and scams featuring well-known figures such as Orry (Orhan Awatramani), Diljit Dosanjh, and Alia Bhatt, which can result in financial loss or personal information theft. McAfee has released its 2024 Celebrity Hacker Hotlist, identifying Indian celebrities most frequently exploited by cybercriminals to mislead internet users.
Topping the list is Orhan Awatramani (Orry), followed closely by Diljit Dosanjh and Alia Bhatt. This annual report underscores how scammers exploit the fame of public personalities to create malicious content, leading to data breaches, financial setbacks, and identity theft.
The report reveals that celebrities experiencing a surge in popularity are prime targets for scammers. Orry’s recent fame, particularly due to his associations with high-profile individuals, has made him a favourite among cybercriminals. Similarly, Diljit Dosanjh’s upcoming Dil-Luminati concert tour has been exploited in ticketing scams, while Alia Bhatt has faced numerous incidents involving deepfakes, where AI-generated fake content is used to spread misinformation.
McAfee emphasises that the rise of generative AI and deepfakes has made it easier for scammers to produce fake celebrity content. This includes fabricated images, videos, or audio clips that appear genuine but are entirely false. For instance, Ranveer Singh and Aamir Khan have been misrepresented as endorsing political parties through deepfakes, while Virat Kohli and Shahrukh Khan have been depicted in fake promotions for betting apps, misleading fans and potentially harming their reputations.
A recent McAfee survey indicates that 80% of Indians are now more concerned about deepfakes than they were a year ago, with 75% having encountered such content. Among those who fell victim to deepfakes, 57% believed they were viewing or listening to authentic celebrity videos, and 31% reported financial losses as a result. Voice cloning and other AI-driven scams have led to significant monetary damage, with some victims losing over ₹800,000.
McAfee’s top ten list for India includes a mix of emerging and established names:
1. Orry (Orhan Awatramani)
2. Diljit Dosanjh
3. Alia Bhatt
4. Ranveer Singh
5. Virat Kohli
6. Sachin Tendulkar
7. Shahrukh Khan
8. Deepika Padukone
9. Aamir Khan
10. Mahendra Singh Dhoni
To enhance online safety, McAfee recommends the following precautions:
– Be cautious with links: Click only on trusted sources, especially when searching for celebrity news or concert tickets.
– Avoid illegal downloads: Pirated music and movies often contain malware.
– Don’t share personal information: Be sceptical of third-party websites requesting login credentials or credit card details.
– Use strong protection: Tools like McAfee Total Protection can help detect and block suspicious websites.
– Verify social media content: Double-check shocking claims before sharing or engaging with them.
– Spot deepfakes: Look for unnatural blinking, strange audio-lip sync, or other inconsistencies in videos.
