Influencers, Crimes, and the Internet’s Amnesia: Why Are We Making Murderers Famous?
- Manya Mehta
- Jul 19
- 3 min read
In 2022, Astha Rajyaguru, known online as Anci Social, an LA based Indian-origin beauty blogger, was driving under the influence of alcohol and cocaine when she crashed into a 60 year-old man in San Diego, killing him on the spot. She pled guilty and was sentenced to four years in prison. But this wasn’t a hidden incident. It made headlines, sparked outrage, and then disappeared into the scroll. After her brief 2-year-old jail term, she was released. She re-entered the digital space, rebranded herself, and continued to gain followers. The man she killed is still dead. She’s back online.
This is what influence looks like now.
In the digital age, your feed is endless. Swipe, like, follow, forget. Most people might have heard of Ani-Social but never of what crime she committed. And that’s the problem. The algorithm doesn’t vet who it pushes to your screen. Content is separated from consequence. We are being flooded with so much information that we stop questioning the source. The average person follows influencers without knowing their history, without checking what they’ve done, or who they’ve harmed.
This isn’t just careless. It’s dangerous.
Young and impressionable audiences are the most vulnerable. Teens and early adults are forming their values, their worldviews, and their sense of self. When they idolise people with histories of harm, they start to believe that charisma is character, that virality erases violence, and that aesthetics matter more than ethics. Even when they get to know about the crime the other person committed, they feel okay with the idea of harming someone thinking “If they can do it and rebrand their life, so can we".
And in all of this, the victims are erased. The ones who were harassed, scammed, assaulted, or even killed, they are the ones whose name fades away. Their stories vanish. Their trauma is permanent, but the person responsible gets to reinvent themselves. Make a comeback. Get brand deals. Be celebrated.
Look at who else gets a pass.
Rajat Dalal, a Delhi-based content creator, gained popularity through vlogs and stunts. He was filmed assaulting a man in public and was also accused of reckless driving that endangered a motorcyclist’s life. None of this slowed his rise. His fan base still calls him “savage.” His content still trends.
Elvish Yadav, the Bigg Boss winner and social media sensation, was arrested for supplying snake venom at rave parties. He admitted to knowledge of the illegal activity. After a short stint in custody, he walked out to applause and resumed content creation like nothing happened. His fans dismissed the crime as “misunderstood hustle.”
Patrick Kaushik, aka Patrick Posts Here, was accused of sending sexually explicit messages to minors. The allegations surfaced with screenshots, timelines, and corroboration. He went offline for a while, then reappeared. Business as usual. Engagement as strong as ever.
In the global arena, the same pattern repeats.
James Charles faced multiple accusations of inappropriate behaviour toward minors. Brands dropped him briefly, but he returned with a makeup line and reclaimed followers like nothing happened. He has been accused of everything from scams to assault. He uses controversy as fuel. Every scandal becomes a growth strategy.
These people are still being admired. Still being sponsored. Still being paid. And the message is clear: if you’re viral enough, charming enough, or just algorithmically lucky, you don’t have to face the consequences of what you’ve done. You can move on. You can earn off your past. You can rewrite your story, and the public will play along.
But the people they hurt don’t get that option.
See who’s influencing you. Are you really taking skincare tips, career advice, or healing journey wisdom from someone with a charge-sheet longer than your grocery list? Do your research. Don’t support people just because they’re loud, pretty, or viral. Support people who haven’t destroyed lives and walked back online like nothing happened.
(Rise of influencer crimes: Disclaimer: The views, opinions, and perspectives expressed in articles, blog posts, and other content published on Culture Gully are solely those of the individual content writers and contributors. These views do not necessarily reflect, represent, or constitute the official position, policy, or endorsement of Culture Gully as an organization)