2026 Viral Deepfake Scandals: South Asian Influencers Payal Gaming, Fatima Jatoi, and Arohi Mim Face Online Harassment Waves

Muhammad Kumar|Jan 29, 2026, 10:36

In early 2026, South Asia witnessed a surge in alleged leaked videos targeting top influencers, dubbed the "AI leak epidemic."

Figures like India's Payal Gaming, Pakistan's Fatima Jatoi, and Bangladesh's Arohi Mim were hit by viral controversies. Investigations showed most were AI-generated deepfakes, edited clips, or phishing scams aimed at defamation and harassment. This highlights AI's dark potential, sparking debates on cybercrime and digital ethics.

Key Cases

Payal Gaming (India)

The gamer faced rumors of a "19-minute viral video." She denounced it as a deepfake, filed an FIR with Maharashtra Cyber Cell, leading to arrests. She rebounded by collaborating with MrBeast and advocating against abuse.

Fatima Jatoi (Pakistan)

Targeted with "6-minute 39-second" and "12-minute 46-second" clips, she issued a video denial, calling them fabrications. Links often led to scams, linked to cross-border traps.

Arohi Mim (Bangladesh)

Searches for "3-minute 24-second" and "19-minute" videos were phishing baits. She stayed silent, letting the hoax die out.

Others like Pakistan's Alina Amir provided AI proof and tagged officials, while Marry and Umair's old vlog was debunked via silence. India's Ajaz Khan partially denied chats.

Leak Tactics

Across all cases, the common thread is fabrication:

  • AI Deepfakes: Used to create realistic but false videos, as seen with Payal Gaming and Alina Amir.
  • Edited Clips and Misleading Thumbnails: Old content repurposed, like in Marry and Umair's case.
  • Scam Links: Phishing for data or leading to harmful sites, prevalent in Arohi Mim's hoax.
  • Specific Timestamps: Terms like "6:39" or "3:24" are used to make searches more enticing, often tied to bot campaigns.

Responses

The 2026 wave marks a turning point. Influencers are increasingly viewing these as attacks rather than stigmas, leading to more legal actions.

Influencer Country Response Outcome
Payal Gaming India FIR filed Arrests; advocacy
Fatima Jatoi Pakistan Video denial Rumors quelled
Arohi Mim Bangladesh Silence Hoax faded

 

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