Mumbai, January 11: The Maharashtra Cyber Police have arrested a suspect in connection with the circulation of an objectionable and fabricated video involving popular YouTuber and esports creator Payal Dhare, widely known as Payal Gaming. The arrest follows a formal complaint filed by the content creator in late December 2025, after a "deepfake" video was maliciously circulated on social media platforms, falsely claiming to be an "MMS" of the streamer.

Investigation and Arrest Details

Following a technical investigation into the origin of the viral clip, cyber officials tracked the digital footprint of the uploader. While the identity of the accused has not been fully disclosed to the public as of January 11, police sources confirmed that the individual was apprehended for allegedly creating and disseminating morphed content intended to defame the creator. Payal Gaming MMS Video is Fake! Maharashtra Cyber Police Confirms as Payal Dhare Takes Legal Action, Shares FIR Copy.

Maharashtra Cyber Has Successfully Detected and Acted Against the Payal Gaming Deepfake Case

 

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The Maharashtra Cyber Department used advanced forensic tools to determine that the video was a deepfake - a product of Artificial Intelligence (AI) used to superimpose a person's face onto another’s body. The suspect reportedly faces charges under the Information Technology (IT) Act and relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) for defamation and outraging the modesty of a woman. "Maharashtra Cyber has also identified one of the first uploaders of the objectionable content, and he will be apprehended soon," the post on Instagram read.

Payal Gaming's Official Response

Payal Dhare, who boasts millions of followers across YouTube and Instagram, had earlier taken to her social media handles to debunk the video. She clarified that the footage was fake and urged her fans not to share or promote such malicious content.

"It is heartbreaking to see how technology is being misused to target women," Dhare had stated in a previous video address. She expressed gratitude toward the Maharashtra Police for their swift action and urged other creators and women to report cybercrimes immediately rather than suffering in silence.

The Rising Threat of Deepfakes

This case has brought renewed attention to the growing menace of deepfake technology in India. Law enforcement agencies have noted an uptick in AI-generated non-consensual intimate imagery (NCII) targeting high-profile influencers and celebrities.

The legal implications for such crimes include:

Background and Context of the Incident

Payal Gaming is one of India's most prominent female gamers, known for her Battlegrounds Mobile India (BGMI) streams and lifestyle vlogs. The controversy began in mid-December 2025 when a grainy video began circulating on Telegram and X (formerly Twitter). Cyber experts who analysed the clip noted several "artifacts" - small visual glitches - typical of AI manipulation, which eventually helped the police verify the content as a deepfake. This arrest is seen as a significant step in the department's "zero-tolerance" policy toward digital harassment and AI-facilitated crimes.

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(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jan 11, 2026 04:19 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).