YouTuber visits a remote island tribe and leaves diet coke as gift — it doesn't end well for him
Indigenous communities across the world have faced countless threats and invasions on their lands. In the 21st century, invading or disrespecting indigenous people is considered an immoral act and is chastised. But popular YouTube creator Mykhailo Viktorovych Polyakov was unsuspecting of the dangers of approaching a tribal community when he traveled to a secluded island on the Indian Ocean, home to an indigenous tribe living in voluntary isolation from the outside world for thousands of years, per NBC News. As a parting gift, he offered them a Diet Coke can and a coconut that landed him in trouble.
Polyakov’s adventurous feat was short-lived as he was soon arrested by the local coast guard officers and detained for violating the law. The 24-year-old man from Arizona made a voyage to Sentinel Island— a restricted territory part of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Any outsider entry to the island is prohibited, keeping in mind the best interests of the Sentinelese tribe, who have defended their land for years and killed intruders on several occasions. They use spears, bows, and arrows to defend themselves and show no mercy to anyone other than their tribe.
The social media personality utilized Google and GPS to reach the island without obtaining permits or authorizations, not that it even exists. He even surveyed the island with his binoculars from afar and spent about an hour on the beach. Crossing the line, Polyakov blew a whistle to attract attention. When he did not receive any response, the man made food offerings that he felt best, collected sand and stone samples, made a video, and returned to his boat. Things took a drastic turn as Polyakov steered his boat for return and ended up getting arrested by the authorities in Port Blair, the capital of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
Local fishermen who spotted the man leaving the island informed the police. Polyakov was charged with violating of law that prohibits any outsider from entering Sentinel Island. The YouTube creator had curated a full-fledged plan to visit the island, having researched about weather, sea, and tidal conditions beforehand. Senior Police Officer Hargobinder Singh Dhaliwal said, “He planned meticulously over several days to visit the island and make contact with the Sentinel tribe.” The tribal community is protected by Indian law to ensure their indigenous way of life is devoid of any foreign invasion. Visitors are banned from traveling further than 3 miles in proximity to the island.
Two days after his visit, Polyakov was arrested on March 31, 2025. A local court sent him to 14 days of judicial custody, and he will appear in court on April 17. The charges he is facing could send him to 5 years in prison with a fine. The U.S. State Department has expressed its concerns and pledged its commitment to assist all Americans abroad. "We are aware of reports of the detention of a U.S. citizen in India. We take our commitment to assist U.S. citizens abroad seriously and are monitoring the situation,” the Embassy stated in an official statement. However, it was revealed that Polyakov had made previous attempts to visit Sentinel Island in October and January. Local news channel Arizona's Family (3TV/CBS 5) (@azfamily) covered the incident and shared the YouTuber's ill-fated adventure.