YouTuber Arrested for Attempting to Contact Isolated Tribe with Diet Coke Offering!

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An American YouTuber is in legal trouble.

24-year-old Mikhailo Viktorovych Polyakov, a resident of Arizona, was apprehended by Indian authorities on March 31 for attempting to interact with the secluded Sentinelese tribe residing on North Sentinel Island in the Indian Ocean, as reported by NBC News.

According to the police, Polyakov navigated his way to the island using GPS technology, then inspected it through binoculars before touching down. While on the beach for approximately an hour, sources say that the content creator attempted to catch the tribe’s attention by blowing a whistle; however, no response was received.

Prior to leaving, he placed a can of Diet Coke and a coconut on the beach as a gesture, police observed. Furthermore, he captured a video using his camera and gathered some specimens.

I, an ardent enthusiast, found myself ensnared in the clutches of the law in Port Blair, the regal capital of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. It all started when local fishermen, ever vigilant, spotted me and reported my activities to the authorities. As per NBC News reports, a formal case was filed against me for allegedly breaking Indian laws that restrict outsiders from engaging with the islanders.

According to the police, Polyakov had carefully studied sea and tidal conditions prior to his voyage, as well as the accessibility to the island. Senior Police Officer Hargobinder Singh Dhaliwal stated that he had spent several days meticulously planning his visit to the island and intended to establish contact with the Sentinel tribe.

According to a further explanation from the police, as reported by NBC News, Polyakov’s actions were potentially harmful to the Sentinelese community’s safety and well-being. This community is legally protected due to the importance of preserving their unique cultural lifestyle, as contact with outsiders could put their traditional way of life at risk.

In her post for the organization’s site, she expressed that this individual’s actions not only potentially threatened his own existence, but also jeopardized the well-being of the entire Sentinelese tribe. She emphasized that isolated communities like the Sentinelese are vulnerable to diseases, which is a key reason they prefer to stay away from strangers. Over time, the Sentinelese have consistently communicated their desire for solitude.

TopMob News has attempted to reach out to Polyakov for comment but has not yet heard back.

For more of YouTube’s biggest scandals, keep reading. 

The interaction with this particular tribe is confined to infrequent occasions when Indian authorities partake in “symbolic offerings,” as reported by NBC News, which usually entails small groups depositing coconuts and bananas for the natives. Indian naval vessels keep a vigil over the surrounding waters aiming to deter any unauthorized contact.

After Polyakov’s capture, an official from the U.S. State Department stated, “The safety and security of American citizens overseas is our top concern. We have learned about reports of a U.S. citizen being held in India. We take our responsibility to help Americans abroad very seriously and are closely watching this developing situation.

As a passionate advocate for the rights of indigenous communities, I, Caroline Pearce, fiercely criticized Polyakov. My organization, Survival International, stands firm in its commitment to safeguarding these vulnerable populations from injustice and exploitation. In this instance, Polyakov’s actions were unacceptable, and we are determined to hold him accountable for his transgressions.

In her post on the organization’s site, she emphasized that this individual’s actions not only posed a threat to his own safety but also jeopardized the well-being of the entire Sentinelese tribe. She highlighted their vulnerability to contagious diseases and explained that their desire for isolation from outsiders has been consistently expressed over time.

TopMob News has attempted to reach out to Polyakov for comment but has not yet heard back.

For more of YouTube’s biggest scandals, keep reading. 

As a devoted admirer, I can share that in 2023, it was none other than Colleen Ballinger who had to confront some challenging situations. Known globally for her character Miranda Sings, she found herself embroiled in accusations of inappropriate behavior and grooming minor fans.

In a video titled “why I left the Colleen Ballinger fandom…”, YouTuber KodeeRants posted screenshots that claimed Colleen was developing exploitative relationships with underage followers. The authenticity of the group text, dubbed “Colleeny’s Weenies,” and its contents were unverified by NBC News.

Following these allegations, content creator Adam McIntyre—who initially managed a fan account for Miranda Sings at age 10—shared videos on his YouTube channel accusing Ballinger of emotionally grooming her fans.

Colleen has not yet directly addressed these claims, nor did she respond to TopMob News’ request for comment. However, on June 28, she posted a 10-minute ukulele song on her personal YouTube account where she compared the accusations to a “toxic gossip train” heading towards “manipulation station,” as others in the internet “tie me to the tracks and harass me for my past.”

After these events, the remaining dates of her Miranda Sings tour were canceled. Since then, she has not posted any updates on social media.

The incident began when the writer of “Girl, Wash Your Face” shared a post about her house cleaner, which led to comments about her perceived privilege. In a since-deleted post brought to light by Angie Treasure, Hollis referenced an earlier live stream where she discussed a woman who “cleans the toilets,” stating that someone commented she was privileged and Hollis agreed, adding that she had worked hard to afford twice-weekly cleaning services. She then stated that these women were considered unrelatable.

However, it’s important to note that while selling millions of books is impressive, Hollis is not on par with historical figures like Harriet Tubman, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Marie Curie, and Oprah Winfrey.

Subsequently, Hollis issued an Instagram apology, acknowledging the pain she caused by mentioning these influential women, many of whom are women of color, whose struggles and achievements she could not possibly understand. She also expressed regret for overlooking those who work hard but do not have financial security due to systemic racism and bias.

In conclusion, Hollis stated that the appropriate action now is for her to listen more carefully.

In March 2020, the creator of Something Navy clothing line and original blogger informed her Instagram followers that she had tested positive for COVID-19, promising to self-isolate in her Manhattan apartment with her husband Brandon Charnas and their daughters Ruby and Esme. However, eight days later, her entire group, including her nanny, left for the Hamptons.

Needless to say, it wasn’t a very admirable situation. The comments on her Instagram page became progressively heated as she bragged about going outdoors for “fresh air” instead of practicing social distancing.

When her husband cracked that only “hot” people were getting the virus, emotions boiled over.  

Later, she published a detailed apology addressing various issues, clarifying that their nanny was also infected with the virus. They took precautions such as having doormen clear the building lobby before leaving, avoiding gas stations, and getting groceries delivered. Their Hamptons residence was situated on a relatively secluded street. Despite her efforts to address concerns, the fallout persisted.

Following the expiration of her contract with Nordstrom in 2019, she decided to shift towards a direct-to-consumer relaunch, citing a desire for more control. This change led her to discuss her favorite Shopbop picks and collaborations with A Pea in the Pod once again.

Reflecting on the experience, she admitted on The Glossy Podcast, “People expected me to be more mindful of global events, and I should have been.

In 2020, fashion influencer Emily Gellis Lande publicly criticized registered dietitian Alissa Zuckerbrot on social media. In a series of posts, Gellis Lande shared stories from unverified sources about dieters who claimed to have spent thousands of dollars following the F-Factor Diet created by Zuckerbrot in New York, only to experience various health issues such as rashes, severe cramps, signs of metal poisoning, and even a miscarriage. These claims gained attention when The New York Times published an article about the situation.

Zuckerbrot, who had hired lawyer Lanny Davis, former White House special counsel for President Bill Clinton, denied the allegations and suggested that her diet plan did not cause disordered eating. She stated to the newspaper that out of over 176,000 purchases of her snack bars and powders, she received only 50 health complaints. Zuckerbrot then released a Certificate of Analysis to address concerns about heavy metals in her products and spoke on Today to further defend her program.

In response, Zuckerbrot was unimpressed by Gellis Lande’s actions. “I think she believes she’s helping people and that the lifestyle I lead is harmful and causes anorexia,” Zuckerbrot told The Times. “But she’s a fashion blogger.”

Zuckerbrot has since filed two lawsuits against Gellis Lande, alleging that she started a campaign to tarnish her brand. Both suits are currently ongoing, with Gellis Lande denying the claims.

2020 saw many parts of the world experiencing a significant racial awakening. However, it was Jessica Mulroney, a friend of Meghan Markle, who received a wake-up call. In an almost 12-minute Instagram video, lifestyle blogger Sasha Exeter detailed their issues, which started when Mulroney took offense to Exeter’s request for her followers to use their voices to support the Black community and combat racial injustice.

Exeter explained that Mulroney perceived the message as a personal attack, and as a result, engaged in behavior that was problematic, including speaking negatively about Exeter to other brands and sending her a written threat. Although Mulroney issued an apology on her Instagram video, she later sent a DM that Exeter shared, which read, “Liable [sic] suit. Good luck.”

Despite her apology, Mulroney’s actions led to consequences. She announced her intentions to promote Black voices by handing over her social media account to them to share their experiences, but her reality show on CTV, ‘I Do, Redo’, was dropped.

Mulroney’s husband, Ben Mulroney, stepped down from his co-host role on CTV’s ‘eTalk’, expressing hope that the new host would be Black, Indigenous, or a person of color who could use the platform to inspire, lead, and create change. However, Jessica Mulroney managed to maintain her high-profile friendship, as she wrote in a since-deleted post, “Meghan and I are family. She is the kindest friend.

Famous for blockbuster movies like “I DUCT TAPED My Brothers $400,000 Truck!” and being dismissed from Disney Channel’s Bizaardvark, the former Vine star turned YouTube sensation ascended to bigger platforms in 2020.

On August 5, federal authorities executed a search warrant at Paul’s home in Calabasas, California, confirming it was linked to an incident at a Scottsdale, Arizona mall on May 30. The FBI stated that Paul had illegally entered and remained inside the shopping center after police ordered everyone to leave, a claim Paul contested on Twitter, asserting that while he was documenting the Black Lives Matter protest, “neither I nor anyone in our group was engaged in any looting or vandalism.”

Speculation about the reason for the FBI raid grew alongside his YouTube following, with videos showing multiple firearms being taken into a police vehicle. In an August 12 video since removed, Paul claimed that the search was “entirely related to the Arizona looting situation” and that rumors about it involving other matters unrelated to him or his character were absurd.

Although no charges were filed, Paul’s attorney told TopMob News in a statement that they intended to “cooperate with the investigation.

Over a year since reconciling with fellow YouTube beauty influencer Tati Westbrook, the popular personality found himself involved in fresh disputes. In an August 2020 tweet that hinted at celebrities who shouldn’t launch makeup lines, he suggested Alicia Keys, who rarely wears makeup, had no place in skincare. Later, he apologized as he realized he was not the arbiter of beauty.

However, mere weeks later, he faced another controversy when he criticized Lauren Conrad’s new beauty line on Instagram Stories. The Instant Influencer host ridiculed Conrad, showing his followers empty packaging he received from her new makeup brand, claiming she had no business in the cosmetics industry.

Fortunately for Conrad, she handled the situation with humor, admitting to her mistake on Instagram by blaming the woman responsible for organizing the gifts. She confessed that while testing if the samples would fit, she accidentally included an empty bag along with the others and sent it out. The fashion designer lightheartedly stated that the individual would be fired immediately.

Charles later apologized, explaining that his videos were meant to be humorous and sharing that “Lauren and I spoke privately about the misunderstanding, and we are both okay.” Despite his apology, it’s evident he understood the error of his actions.

In the opening of a May 2020 video, vlogger and YouTuber Myka Stauffer expressed that the video she and her husband James were about to share was by far their toughest public announcement. It quickly became clear that they wouldn’t be discussing their newborn routine or diet. Instead, they disclosed a heart-wrenching decision: they had placed their 4-year-old son Huxley, whom they adopted from China in 2017, with his forever family due to the challenges of managing his autism.

The response from their nearly million subscribers was largely outrageous. Fans debated whether this couple, parents to four other children, were either misguided or had exploited Huxley for views and donations only to abandon him when caring for him became too difficult. As a result, they lost followers and partnerships with brands like Fabletics, Suave, Danimals, who terminated their collaborations. Even Ohio’s Delaware County Sheriff’s Office announced an investigation into Huxley’s well-being.

Authorities later declared in late June that they had closed the case without pressing charges. However, Myka’s brand continues to be shut down. Since then, she has not posted any new content on YouTube or Instagram, issuing a lengthy statement expressing remorse for her initial naivety during the adoption process and clarifying that there was no ongoing investigation against them.

I’ve made mistakes in the past, but I am learning and growing. I will make you proud, I promise.

In October 2019, YouTube personalities, the Stokes Twins, dressed in black as if they had robbed a bank, hailed an Uber pretending it was their getaway car while recording. Unfortunately, the Uber driver didn’t realize it was a prank and refused to leave, leading someone to call the police. The police arrived with guns drawn, but later released the driver when they realized he wasn’t involved. The police then warned the Stokes Twins about the dangers of their actions.

Later that day, the twins repeated their stunt on the University of California, Irvine campus, which led to their arrest. If convicted on charges of false imprisonment and swatting (a prank involving reporting a fake emergency), they could have faced up to four years in prison. However, they received criticism from Orange County D.A. Todd Spitzer, who said such pranks could have caused serious harm or even death.

In a 2020 statement, their lawyer claimed that the twins were not guilty of any crimes. Nevertheless, they pleaded guilty to lesser charges of misdemeanor false imprisonment and reporting false emergencies, receiving 160 hours of community service and one year of probation.

In a turn of events, the individual famously known as the “King of YouTube” for his extensive videos that garnered him an impressive 34 million followers, Dawson, faced the conclusion of his reign in June 2020. This was triggered by a controversial tweet he posted, which has since been removed, expressing frustration with the online beauty community. His comments, particularly targeting James Charles, were seen as harsh and hypocritical: “They are all attention-seeking, manipulative, self-centered, narcissistic, vindictive, ticking time bombs waiting to explode. I’ve had enough,” he expressed, further labeling Charles as a young, power-hungry influencer who needed a massive dose of humility.

His audience was unimpressed, with many pointing out that those living in glass houses should not throw stones. In quick succession, Dawson released a 20-minute video titled “Taking Accountability,” where he expressed remorse for his past actions, admitting, “I have done many things in the past that I regret.” Among these transgressions were using blackface, making racist remarks and jokes about pedophilia, posting a video sexualizing then-11-year-old Willow Smith, and other behaviors that caused harm. He acknowledged, “I should have been held accountable for these actions.” As a result, YouTube temporarily suspended his ability to monetize his three accounts.

In 2021, he resumed creating content, expressing gratitude for the cancelation, stating, “I’m so thankful that I was canceled, because it truly changed my life.

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2025-04-08 18:22