In a disturbing case of digital deception, an Indian woman became the unknowing face of a viral online persona called Babydoll Archi—a seductive AI-generated influencer who amassed over 1.4 million followers with provocative content and viral dance clips.
The sensational profile, which gained traction earlier this year, featured a woman in a red sari dancing to the Romanian hit Dame Un Grr, and even a suggestive photo alongside American adult star Kendra Lust. The account’s explosive popularity led to fan pages, memes, and top Google searches.
But behind the viral fame was a disturbing truth: the face of Babydoll Archi was created using stolen personal photos of a real woman, pseudonymously referred to as Sanchi. The BBC reported that this digital impersonation was brought to light after Sanchi’s brother filed a police complaint on July 11, sparking a high-profile investigation.
A Deepfake Driven by Revenge
Police traced the source of the account to Pratim Bora, a mechanical engineer and Sanchi’s ex-boyfriend. Bora was arrested on July 12 from Tinsukia, Assam. Authorities say he used AI tools like ChatGPT and Dzine to fabricate realistic images and videos of Sanchi, gradually transforming them into an online character for profit and personal revenge.
According to Senior Police Officer Sizal Agarwal, who led the investigation, Bora created the account in 2020 using real images of Sanchi, which were then manipulated with advanced deepfake technology. As his AI skills advanced, so did the realism of the fabricated persona.
From Deepfake to Digital Fame
The Babydoll Archi account rapidly gained momentum in early 2025, eventually monetizing its popularity. Investigators discovered that Bora had earned over ₹10 lakh (approximately $12,000 USD) from fan subscriptions, with ₹3 lakhgenerated in just five days before his arrest. Authorities have confiscated his laptop, mobile devices, hard drives, and financial records.
Emotional Toll on the Victim
Sanchi, who had no active presence on social media, only learned of the account after it went viral and was picked up by major news outlets. Her family had been completely unaware of the impersonation until the fake influencer became an internet sensation.
Police confirmed that she is now receiving counseling and emotional support, but the experience has been deeply traumatic. Officer Agarwal emphasized the importance of early intervention in digital crimes, stating, “Had we acted sooner, we could have prevented the account from gaining such massive traction.”
The Growing Threat of AI Misuse
The Babydoll Archi case highlights the dark side of AI and deepfake technology, raising urgent questions about online identity theft, digital consent, and platform accountability. As AI-generated personas become more convincing, experts are calling for stronger regulations and better detection systems to protect individuals from exploitation.
Conclusion
What began as a viral online fantasy ended in a harsh reality of betrayal, exploitation, and emotional trauma. The Babydoll Archi scandal is now a cautionary tale of how AI, when misused, can devastate real lives—and underscores the urgent need for digital safety laws in the age of artificial intelligence.
