‘19-Minute Viral Video’ Sparks Uproar on Social Media, Cyber Attacks Target Users Searching for the Clip

Kathmandu: The phrase ‘19-minute viral video’ has been trending among Nepali and Indian social media users for the past few days. The trend centers on a leaked secret clip (MMS) of a couple.

There are many misconceptions about the origin of the video and the identity of the people involved. The trend has even created unnecessary trouble for innocent influencers. This situation emerged after users started naming random individuals while trying to identify the girl in the video.

A rumor also spread claiming that the girl in the viral clip committed suicide due to shame. However, Indian media reported this is completely false. Fact-checking shows the woman in the death video and the woman in the 19-minute MMS clip are different people.

The people in the clip are West Bengal–based content creator Sofik SK and his girlfriend Dustu Sonali. Both Sofik and Sonali have admitted it was a private clip recorded during their personal relationship. They have faced serious controversy after the intimate video leaked online.

Reports suggest the video was leaked due to blackmail. Sonali alleged that an acquaintance named Rubel stole the clip, blackmailed her, and later made it public.

Sofik SK, who also works for Pali Gram TV, publicly apologized for the incident and said the video is more than a year old. He said he gave his phone to a close friend who knew the password, and that friend used the footage to blackmail Sonali.

Sofik said, “I treated him like a brother, but he betrayed me.” He also accused some friends who could not tolerate his success of posting the clip online.

In a separate Instagram video, Dustu Sonali said she is in a state of mental distress after the leak. She said the act ruined her life and that she is constantly having suicidal thoughts.

Sonali said she filed a police complaint against Rubel and others involved. The authenticity of the clip has also been questioned online. Some users speculated that the video could have been created or altered using AI-based deepfake technology.

According to McAfee, India’s strong celebrity culture and large online presence have increased the risk of technology imitating the voice, appearance, and behavior of public figures.

Sofik’s Instagram account, which had about 463,000 followers when the controversy started, grew to more than 523,000 within a week. Even after the controversy, Sofik continued posting new content.

In most cybercrime cases registered in Nepal, the victim knows the attacker. In many cases, it is an ex-boyfriend or girlfriend, friend, or relative. In Nepal, such acts are mainly prosecuted under the Electronic Transactions Act 2063.

Concerns about cybersecurity have also increased after the clip went viral. Experts warned users not to click suspicious links when searching for viral content, saying online fraudsters could lure them into malware or phishing traps. Sharing and distributing such videos and links is also punishable by law.

 

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