Face stolen, life ruined! How Archita Phukan became victim of India’s most shocking deepfake crime
What began as the meteoric rise of a bold Assamese influencer turned into one of the country’s most disturbing deepfake-related cybercrime cases, one that is now sounding alarms across India about the misuse of artificial intelligence, digital identity theft, and the fragile line between truth and fabrication in the age of synthetic media.
At the centre of this deception is Archita Phukan, a young woman from Assam whose face and identity were digitally hijacked, manipulated, and ultimately weaponised, allegedly by her former boyfriend in a calculated act of revenge.
From viral fame to digital horror
Archita first learned something was wrong when her close ones stumbled upon a viral image showing her standing next to American adult film star Kendra Lust. The image, widely shared across meme pages and social media platforms, sparked frenzied speculation. Many believed an Assamese woman had entered the global adult entertainment industry, a narrative that spread like wildfire.
But Archita never took that photo. She did not know about the social media account that had gone viral in her name.
Investigations revealed that the Instagram account, ‘babydoll archi’, which emerged in August 2020, was not managed by Archita at all. The profile had amassed over 1.3 million followers by mid-2025 with bold fashion shoots, trendy dance reels, and provocative transformation videos, all featuring AI-generated images and videos with Archita’s digitally superimposed face.
The person behind the account? Pratim Bora, a mechanical engineer from Tinsukia, and Archita’s former boyfriend.
Revenge and technology
Using private images he allegedly stole from Archita’s old social media accounts, Bora used deepfake tools to create lifelike videos and images, placing her face onto synthetic bodies and scenarios. Police say his intent was to mentally harass, humiliate, and exploit her for monetary gain.
Bora even monetised the deepfake persona, selling explicit AI-generated content via paid subscriptions, profiting from non-consensual imagery that didn’t just tarnish Archita’s public image but tore apart her personal life.
The family filed a police complaint in Dibrugarh, prompting authorities to arrest Bora under sections of the Information Technology Act for identity theft, cyber harassment, and the distribution of obscene content.
“This case is a chilling example of how AI can be misused to not only impersonate but to destroy someone’s reality,” said Adv Nrupen Vadakken, a criminal lawyer in Kottayam. “The law does provide protection under Sections 66C, 66E and 67 of the IT Act, but often the damage is already done by the time action is taken.”
Adv Nrupen added that victims should not be scared but should report such issues as soon as it gets noticed. Speaking about justice, he shared, these cases dont take too much time to be in action such crimes can result in a minimum imprisonment of three years, with stricter penalties if obscene content or extortion is involved.
Understanding deepfakes
While photo manipulation is nothing new, the rise of deepfake technology has taken digital deception to a terrifying new level. “Earlier, morphing could be detected with some forensic analysis,” said Nandakumar, a Kerala-based tech expert. “But deepfakes are trained on real expressions, facial movements, and voice data. With enough content, anyone’s digital twin can be created and that’s a real danger.”
Nandakumar points out that most people unintentionally leave a trail of personal data online. “It’s not just uploading selfies on social media,” he warns. “Even apps that ‘age your face’ or let you swap genders often request full access to your phone’s gallery. People willingly hand over their faces to train AI models without realising the long-term consequences.”
How to protect yourself from deepfake exploitation
As deepfake incidents grow in frequency and sophistication, experts recommend the following steps to guard your digital identity:
- Avoid posting high-resolution, close-up selfies or videos, especially those showing varied expressions or angles. Deepfake algorithms use these to create highly convincing replicas.
- Keep social media accounts private and avoid oversharing personal details such as your location, routines, or voice.
- Before posting photos or videos, consider adding digital watermarks, subtle filters, or overlays that disrupt AI training models.
- Use tools like Google Reverse Image Search, TinEye, or PimEyes to track if your face is being reused online. Some tools allow you to set up alerts to be notified of new appearances.
Several AI-powered platforms help detect manipulated content:
- Microsoft Video Authenticator
- Deepware Scanner
- Sensity AI
- Reality Defender
- Some browsers, like Brave, are also exploring opt-out features for facial data collection and model training.
Know your legal rights in India:
Section 66C (identity theft)
Section 66E (violation of privacy)
Section 67 (publishing obscene material) of the IT Act can be invoked.
Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) sections related to defamation, criminal intimidation and stalking may also apply.
“Victims must report such cases without fear,” Adv Nrupen reiterates. “Let the police collect evidence and initiate action. Cybercrime cells are increasingly responsive, and many victims receive justice faster than expected.”
A wake-up call
The case of Archita Phukan is not just a personal tragedy; it’s a stark warning. In a world where AI can convincingly simulate reality, our identities, reputations, and rights are more vulnerable than ever.
“Technology itself is neutral,” said Nandakumar. “It’s what we allow it to do and what protections we put in place, that determines whether it empowers or endangers.”
For Archita, justice may yet be served but the psychological toll of being turned into a digital puppet is immeasurable. And for the rest of us, her story is a reminder in the age of AI, seeing is no longer believing.