New Delhi, December 19, 2025 – Popular Indian gaming influencer Payal Dhare, better known as Payal Gaming, has become the latest victim of a vicious online deepfake scandal after an alleged intimate video surfaced across social media platforms, falsely claiming to feature her.
The 1-minute-20-second clip, often dubbed the “Payal Gaming Dubai MMS” or “Dubai Leak,” exploded in popularity on X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, Telegram, and YouTube starting around December 16. Dubbed a “Full HD” video by sensationalist posts, it depicts a woman in a compromising situation, with clickbait thumbnails and links promising “full video” access luring millions of views. Bot-driven comments like “Full HD link click here” flooded threads, amplifying the spread.
The Rise of a Gaming Pioneer
Payal Dhare, 25, from Chhindwara, Madhya Pradesh, rose to fame in 2019 with gameplay videos of BGMI (Battlegrounds Mobile India), PUBG, and GTA V on YouTube. She became India’s first female gamer to surpass 3 million subscribers, earning accolades like Female Streamer of the Year and an international MOBIES award in 2024. Affiliated with S8UL Esports, she even met Prime Minister Narendra Modi to discuss gaming’s future.
Her recent viral moment came during the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 semi-final in Dubai, where she was spotted cheering in the stands—ironically fueling the “Dubai MMS” narrative.
Deepfake or Real? Fans and Fact-Checks Shut Down Rumors
Fans quickly rallied, pointing out physical discrepancies: “The girl in the video is chubbier; Payal is flat as me,” one Reddit user noted. Others labeled it an AI-generated deepfake, part of a trend targeting female creators like Sweet Zannat’s recent “19-minute video” hoax.
Fact-checks by outlets like Filmibeat, MyKhel, and Zee News confirmed it’s fabricated content, recycled or AI-altered to exploit Payal’s fame for clicks, phishing, and scams—some even charging up to ₹5,000 for “full” access.
On X, supportive posts outnumbered sleaze: “Stop making AI videos for views,” while spam accounts pushed fake links.
Payal Gaming Speaks Out: “It’s Not Me”
On December 17, Payal broke her silence via Instagram, posting a heartfelt statement: “I never expected to speak publicly about something so personal and distressing… The individual in the video is NOT me. It has no connection to my life, my choices, or my identity.” She called the content “deeply hurtful and dehumanising,” urging people to stop sharing it and warning of legal action against perpetrators.
Rumored boyfriend Parv Singh also reportedly denied involvement.
A Growing Menace: Deepfakes and Creator Harassment
This isn’t isolated—similar scandals hit Sweet Zannat and others, highlighting AI’s dark side. Experts warn of rising deepfake abuse against women online, with calls for stricter laws.
Payal’s resilience shines: “Your kindness and trust have given me strength.” As she eyes legal recourse, the gaming community vows support, turning a smear into a stand against digital malice.
No authentic “Full HD” video exists—sharing fakes harms real people. Verify before you share.