Alia Bhatt, Diljit Dosanjh are on the top list of McAfee revealing the names of the most popular stars being exploited by hackers
Cybercriminals are exploiting the names of well-known Indian celebrities to deceive people online. They set up fraudulent websites, produce fake videos, and run scams that appear to involve figures like Orry (Orhan Awatramani), Diljit Dosanjh, and Alia Bhatt. These scams can result in financial losses or the theft of personal information. McAfee has published its 2024 Celebrity Hacker Hotlist, highlighting the Indian celebrities whose names are most commonly misused by cybercriminals to manipulate internet users.
At the top of the list is Orhan Awatramani (Orry), followed closely by Diljit Dosanjh and Alia Bhatt. This annual report sheds light on how cybercriminals take advantage of the popularity of public figures to create harmful websites and scams, resulting in data breaches, financial losses, and identity theft.
The report indicates that celebrities who are trending or enjoying a rise in fame are particularly attractive targets for scammers. Orry’s newfound popularity, especially due to his connections with other high-profile figures, has made him a prime target for malicious activities. Diljit Dosanjh, in light of his upcoming Dil-Luminati concert tour, has also seen his name misused, particularly in ticketing scams. Meanwhile, Alia Bhatt has been a victim of several deepfake incidents, where AI-generated content is used to spread false information.
McAfee emphasizes that the increasing use of generative AI and deepfakes has facilitated scammers in producing realistic-looking fake content involving celebrities. This can include images, videos, or audio clips that seem authentic but are entirely fabricated. For example, Ranveer Singh and Aamir Khan have been wrongfully depicted endorsing political parties through deepfakes, while Virat Kohli and Shahrukh Khan have been shown in fraudulent promotions for betting apps. These scams not only mislead fans but can also lead to financial losses and damage the reputations of the celebrities involved.
A recent McAfee survey reveals that 80 percent of Indians are now more concerned about deep fakes compared to last year, with 75 percent having encountered such content. Among those who fell victim to deep fake scams, 57 percent thought they were viewing or listening to authentic celebrity videos, and 31 percent reported suffering financial losses as a consequence. Scams involving voice cloning and other AI technologies have resulted in substantial monetary damage, with some victims losing over ₹800,000.
McAfee’s top ten list for India includes a mix of new and established names:
- Orry (Orhan Awatramani)
- Diljit Dosanjh
- Alia Bhatt
- Ranveer Singh
- Virat Kohli
- Sachin Tendulkar
- Shahrukh Khan
- Deepika Padukone
- Aamir Khan
- Mahendra Singh Dhoni
McAfee offers several recommendations to enhance online safety:
- Be cautious with links: Only click on links from trusted sources, especially when looking for celebrity news or concert tickets.
- Avoid illegal downloads: Pirated music and movies may contain malware.
- Protect personal information: Be skeptical of third-party websites requesting login credentials or credit card details.
- Utilize strong protection: Use tools like McAfee Total Protection to identify and block suspicious websites.
- Verify social media content: Always confirm sensational claims before sharing or engaging with them.
- Identify deepfakes: Watch for unnatural blinking, mismatched audio and lip movement, or other discrepancies in videos.
