Larissa, a former model from Brazil, has finally spoken up after an old photo of hers got caught up in a voter fraud controversy in Haryana, India. The incident exploded after Congress leader Rahul Gandhi accused the Election Commission and the BJP of allowing fake votes using her image during the recent state elections.
Rahul Gandhi’s Allegation: Brazilian Model’s Photo Used in Haryana Voting Scam
During a Wednesday press conference, Rahul Gandhi, acting as Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, alleged that a Brazilian model’s picture was used at several polling stations in Haryana to create fake voter IDs. He criticized the Election Commission and the ruling BJP, accusing them of collusion that led to Congress losing the election.
“In at least ten booths, they used the same foreign woman’s photo for fake voter IDs,” Gandhi stated. The comment set off a storm online—everyone wanted to know who the woman was.
Who is Larissa?
It turns out the woman in question is Larissa, a former model from Belo Horizonte, Brazil. After Rahul Gandhi’s remarks made headlines, internet users started investigating. Soon after, a video surfaced on X (formerly Twitter) showing Larissa reacting to the situation.
Larissa Responds: “My Old Photo Was Used Without My Knowledge”
In her video, posted in Portuguese, Larissa seemed more amused than upset. She explained she had no idea someone was using her old photo on Indian voter lists.
(Video Source: Supriya Shrinate on X)
“Friends, listen to this. They’re using an old photo of mine—I must have been 18 or 20! I don’t even know what this is about, something about voting in India?” she laughed.
She added that a reporter tried to contact her after the news broke:
“He called the salon where I work, wanting an interview. At first, I didn’t answer, but then he messaged me on Instagram. After that, a friend from another city sent me the same photo that was circulating online!”
Where is Larissa Today?
These days, Larissa is no longer modeling. She runs a beauty salon in Belo Horizonte and generally stays out of the spotlight.
No one has independently confirmed the voter list images, but the incident has sparked tough questions about data misuse, digital identity protection, and election transparency in India.
Political Uproar
The episode triggered a political uproar. Congress is demanding explanations from both the Election Commission and the BJP. The BJP, on the other hand, dismissed Rahul Gandhi’s accusations as political posturing.
Social media users in both India and Brazil reacted strongly. Some were surprised, while others highlighted how easily digital photos—real or AI-generated—can be abused and spread misinformation, especially during elections.
Why This Matters?
The “Brazilian model voter fraud” incident is a warning sign. As elections become more digital, protecting personal images and online identities becomes increasingly important. It’s a stark reminder of how quickly misinformation can spread—and how serious the consequences can be.