In a sharp move against the rising menace of synthetic media, the Delhi High Court has stepped in to dismantle a string of deepfake videos impersonating entrepreneur and content creator Ankur Warikoo. These videos, widely circulated on social media platforms, misleadingly depict Warikoo promoting stock investments and urging viewers to join a WhatsApp group for so-called “free financial tips.”
Presiding over the matter, Justice Amit Bansal ordered the immediate removal of the specific URLs presented in court. But he drew a line at issuing a sweeping order for future content, noting, “It can’t be a blanket order for all future links.” The judge also instructed involved websites to halt the publication of these manipulated clips, setting a five-day deadline for compliance.
Representatives for Warikoo painted a troubling picture of digital mimicry gone rogue. The fake videos don’t just flirt with copyright infringement—they impersonate Warikoo outright, dragging his reputation into the muddy waters of stock market scams. Despite Warikoo’s known presence in the financial education space, his team clarified he has never endorsed specific stocks or investment schemes.
The misleading content reportedly tempts unsuspecting users with the promise of direct communication with Warikoo via WhatsApp, leading them into fraudulent financial traps. The result? Harm to Warikoo’s brand—and worse, potential monetary losses for trusting viewers.
The legal push isn’t just about reclaiming image rights—it’s about damage control in an era where faces can be hijacked by AI with chilling ease.
The matter is scheduled to return to court on October 8 for further proceedings.