How safe are Indian fans from AI generated celebrity scams? The answer is alarming, according to the latest cybersecurity report.
Shah Rukh Khan Tops Most Dangerous Celebrity List
McAfee has released its 2025 edition of the Most Dangerous Celebrity Deepfake Deception List, highlighting how cybercriminals are increasingly using the names and likenesses of public figures to mislead users online. Shah Rukh Khan tops this year’s list as the most exploited personality, followed by Alia Bhatt and Elon Musk. Their images and voices are among the most frequently used in AI driven deepfakes promoting false endorsements, giveaways, and links to fraudulent websites.
The findings reveal a disturbing reality for Indian internet users. According to the report, 90 percent of Indians have come across fake or AI generated celebrity endorsements. Those who fell victim to such scams reported an average loss of Rs 34,500. The report also shows that deception is no longer limited to mainstream actors or global figures, as around 60 percent of respondents say they have encountered deepfake content featuring influencers and digital creators.
India’s Digital Ecosystem Makes It Prime Target
The report attributes the rising threat to India’s highly active digital ecosystem. With 95 percent of users on WhatsApp, 94 percent on YouTube, and 84 percent on Instagram, the country’s social media presence makes it a key target for online scams that rely on manipulated celebrity content. The study also notes that scammers now require as little as three seconds of a person’s voice to create convincing audio deepfakes.
These fabrications are commonly used to promote fake skincare products, giveaways, and cryptocurrency schemes, along with endorsements for gadgets and supplements. The technology can now effortlessly mimic the voices, faces, and mannerisms of people audiences admire, making it increasingly difficult to distinguish between real and fake content.
Top 10 Most Dangerous Celebrities Of 2025
McAfee’s list of India’s most exploited celebrities includes Shah Rukh Khan at the top, followed by Alia Bhatt in second place. The complete top 10 features Elon Musk, Priyanka Chopra Jonas, Cristiano Ronaldo, MrBeast, Lionel Messi, Taylor Swift, Kim Kardashian, and members of BTS. The presence of both Indian and international celebrities on this list shows the global nature of deepfake scams.
Pratim Mukherjee, Senior Director of Engineering at McAfee, stated that deepfakes have changed the game for cybercriminals as they are no longer hacking systems but hacking human trust. He emphasized that India’s vibrant celebrity culture and massive online engagement make the threat even more dangerous. The findings show that younger users are most at risk, with 62 percent of those aged 35 to 44 and 60 percent of 25 to 34 year olds admitting to clicking on fake celebrity ads.
About The McAfee Report
The McAfee 2025 Most Dangerous Celebrity Deepfake Deception List highlights the rising threat of AI generated celebrity content being used for online scams in India. The report reveals that 90 percent of Indians have encountered fake celebrity endorsements, with victims losing an average of Rs 34,500. The study emphasizes that scammers can create convincing deepfakes using just three seconds of audio and exploit India’s highly active social media ecosystem for fraudulent activities.
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