#FactCheck - AI-Generated Video Falsely Shared as ‘Multi-Hooded Snake’ Sighting in Vrindavan
A video is being widely shared on social media showing devotees seated in a boat appearing stunned as a massive, multi-hooded snake—resembling the mythical Sheshnag—suddenly emerges from the middle of a water body.
The video captures visible panic and astonishment among the devotees. Social media users are sharing the clip claiming that it is from Vrindavan, with some portraying the sight as a divine or supernatural event. However, research conducted by the Cyber Peace Foundation found the viral claim to be false. Our research revealed that the video is not authentic and has been generated using artificial intelligence (AI).
Claim
On January 17, 2026, a user shared the viral video on Instagram with the caption suggesting that God had appeared again in the age of Kalyug. The post claims that a terrifying video from Vrindavan has surfaced in which devotees sitting in a boat were shocked to see a massive multi-hooded snake emerge from the water. The caption further states that devotees are hailing the creature as an incarnation of Sheshnag or Vasuki Nag, raising religious slogans and questioning whether the sight represents a divine sign. (The link to the post, its archive link, and screenshots are available.)
- https://www.instagram.com/reel/DTngN9FkoX0/?igsh=MTZvdTN1enI2NnFydA%3D%3D
- https://archive.ph/UuAqB
Fact Check:
Upon closely examining the viral video, we suspected that it might be AI-generated. To verify this, the video was scanned using the AI detection tool SIGHTENGINE, which indicated that the visual is 99 per cent AI-generated.
In the next step of the research , the video was analysed using another AI detection tool, HIVE Moderation. According to the results obtained, the video was found to be 62 per cent AI-generated.
Conclusion
Our research clearly establishes that the viral video claiming to show a multi-hooded snake in Vrindavan is not real. The clip has been created using artificial intelligence and is being falsely shared on social media with religious and sensational claims.
Related Blogs
Key points: Data collection, Protecting Children, and Awareness
Introduction
The evolution of technology has drastically changed over the period impacting mankind and their lifestyle. For every single smallest aspect, humans are reliable on the computers they have manufactured. The use of AI has almost hindered mankind, kids these days are more lethargic to work and write more sensibly on their own, but they are more likely interested in television, video games, mobile games, etc. School kids use AI just to complete their homework. Is it a good sign for the country’s future? The study suggests that Tools like ChatGPT is a threat to humans/a child’s potential to be creative and make original content requiring a human writer’s insight. Tools like ChatGPT can remove students’ artistic voices rather than using their unique writing style.
Does any of those browsers or search engines use your search history against you? or How do non-users tend to lose their private info on such a search engine?
Are there any safety measures that one’s the government of a particular country taking to protect their people’s rights?
Some of us might wonder how these two fancy-looking world merge and into, Arey they a boon or curse?
So here’s the top news getting flooded all over the world through the internet,
“Italian Agency impose strict measures on OpenAI’s ChatGPT”
Italy becomes the first Western European country to take serious measures about using Open AI ChatGPT. An Italian Data Protection agency named Garante has set mandates on ChatGPT. Garante has raised concerns about privacy violations and the inability to verify the age of users. Garate has also claimed that the AI ChatBot is violating the EU’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). In a press release, Garante demanded OpenAI take necessary actions.
To begin with, Garante has demanded that OpenAI’s ChatGPT should increase its transparency and give a comprehensive statement about its data processing practices. OpenAI must specify between obtaining user consent for processing users’ data to train its AI model or may rely on a legitimate basis. OpenAI must maintain the privacy of users’ data.
In addition, ChatGPT should also take measures to prevent minors from accessing the technology at such an early stage of life, which could hinder their brain power. ChatGPT should add some age verification system to prevent minors from accessing explicit content. Moreover, Garante suggests that OpenAI should spread awareness among its users about their data being processed to train its AI model. Garante has set a deadline of April 30 for ChatGPT to complete the given tasks. Until then, its service should be banned in the country.
Child safety while surfing on ChatGpt
Italian agency demands age limitation to surf and an age verification method to exclude users under the age of 13, and parental authority should be required for users between the ages of 13 and 18. As this is a matter of security. Children might get exposed to explicit content invalidated to their age or explore illegitimate content. The AI chatbot doesn’t have the sense to determine which content is appropriate for the underage audience. Due to tools like chatbots, subjective things/information are already available to young students, leading to endangered irrespective of their future. As ChatGpt can hinder their potential and ability to create original and creative content for young minds. It is a threat motivation to humans’ motivation to write. Moreover, when students need time to think and analyze they get lethargic due to tools like ChatGPT, and the practice they need fades away.
Collection of User’s Data
According to some reports from the company’s privacy policy, OpenAI ChatGpt collects an assortment of additional data. The first two questions are for a free trial when a session starts. It asks for your Login, and SignUp through your Gmail account collects your IP address, browser type, and the data you put in the form of input, i.e. it collects data on the user’s interaction with the website, It also collects the user’s data like session time, cookies through third party may tend to sell it to an unspecified third party.
This snapshot shows that they have added a few things after Garante’s draft.
Conclusion
AI chatbot – Chatgpt is an advanced technology tool that makes work a little easier, but one surfing on such tools must stay aware of the information they are asking for. Such AI bots are trained to understand mankind, its job is to give a helping hand and not doltish. In case of this, some people tend to provide sensitive information unknowingly, young minds get exposed to explicit information. Such bots need to put some age limitations. Such innovations keep taking place, but it’s individuals’ responsibility what actions to be allowed to access their online connected device. Unlike the Italian Agency, which has taken some preventive measures to keep their user’s data safe, also looking at the adverse effect of such chatbots on a young mind.
Executive Summary:
Traditional Business Email Compromise(BEC) attacks have become smarter, using advanced technologies to enhance their capability. Another such technology which is on the rise is WormGPT, which is a generative AI tool that is being leveraged by the cybercriminals for the purpose of BEC. This research aims at discussing WormGPT and its features as well as the risks associated with the application of the WormGPT in criminal activities. The purpose is to give a general overview of how WormGPT is involved in BEC attacks and give some advice on how to prevent it.
Introduction
BEC(Business Email Compromise) in simple terms can be defined as a kind of cybercrime whereby the attackers target the business in an effort to defraud through the use of emails. Earlier on, BEC attacks were executed through simple email scams and phishing. However, in recent days due to the advancement of AI tools like WormGPT such malicious activities have become sophisticated and difficult to identify. This paper seeks to discuss WormGPT, a generative artificial intelligence, and how it is used in the BEC attacks to make the attacks more effective.
What is WormGPT?
Definition and Overview
WormGPT is a generative AI model designed to create human-like text. It is built on advanced machine learning algorithms, specifically leveraging large language models (LLMs). These models are trained on vast amounts of text data to generate coherent and contextually relevant content. WormGPT is notable for its ability to produce highly convincing and personalised email content, making it a potent tool in the hands of cybercriminals.
How WormGPT Works
1. Training Data: Here the WormGPT is trained with the arrays of data sets, like emails, articles, and other writing material. This extensive training enables it to understand and to mimic different writing styles and recognizable textual content.
2. Generative Capabilities: Upon training, WormGPT can then generate text based on specific prompts, as in the following examples in response to prompts. For example, if a cybercriminal comes up with a prompt concerning the company’s financial information, WormGPT is capable of releasing an appearance of a genuine email asking for more details.
3. Customization: WormGPT can be retrained any time with an industry or an organisation of interest in mind. This customization enables the attackers to make their emails resemble the business activities of the target thus enhancing the chances for an attack to succeed.
Enhanced Phishing Techniques
Traditional phishing emails are often identifiable by their generic and unconvincing content. WormGPT improves upon this by generating highly personalised and contextually accurate emails. This personalization makes it harder for recipients to identify malicious intent.
Automation of Email Crafting
Previously, creating convincing phishing emails required significant manual effort. WormGPT automates this process, allowing attackers to generate large volumes of realistic emails quickly. This automation increases the scale and frequency of BEC attacks.
Exploitation of Contextual Information
WormGPT can be fed with contextual information about the target, such as recent company news or employee details. This capability enables the generation of emails that appear highly relevant and urgent, further deceiving recipients into taking harmful actions.
Implications for Cybersecurity
Challenges in Detection
The use of WormGPT complicates the detection of BEC attacks. Traditional email security solutions may struggle to identify malicious emails generated by advanced AI, as they can closely mimic legitimate correspondence. This necessitates the development of more sophisticated detection mechanisms.
Need for Enhanced Training
Organisations must invest in training their employees to recognize signs of BEC attacks. Awareness programs should emphasise the importance of verifying email requests for sensitive information, especially when such requests come from unfamiliar or unexpected sources.
Implementation of Robust Security Measures
- Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA): MFA can add an additional layer of security, making it harder for attackers to gain unauthorised access even if they successfully deceive an employee.
- Email Filtering Solutions: Advanced email filtering solutions that use AI and machine learning to detect anomalies and suspicious patterns can help identify and block malicious emails.
- Regular Security Audits: Conducting regular security audits can help identify vulnerabilities and ensure that security measures are up to date.
Case Studies
Case Study 1: Financial Institution
A financial institution fell victim to a BEC attack orchestrated using WormGPT. The attacker used the tool to craft a convincing email that appeared to come from the institution’s CEO, requesting a large wire transfer. The email’s convincing nature led to the transfer of funds before the scam was discovered.
Case Study 2: Manufacturing Company
In another instance, a manufacturing company was targeted by a BEC attack using WormGPT. The attacker generated emails that appeared to come from a key supplier, requesting sensitive business information. The attack exploited the company’s lack of awareness about BEC threats, resulting in a significant data breach.
Recommendations for Mitigation
- Strengthen Email Security Protocols: Implement advanced email security solutions that incorporate AI-driven threat detection.
- Promote Cyber Hygiene: Educate employees on recognizing phishing attempts and practising safe email habits.
- Invest in AI for Defense: Explore the use of AI and machine learning in developing defences against generative AI-driven attacks.
- Implement Verification Procedures: Establish procedures for verifying the authenticity of sensitive requests, especially those received via email.
Conclusion
WormGPT is a new tool in the arsenal of cybercriminals which improved their options to perform Business Email Compromise attacks more effectively and effectively. Therefore, it is critical to provide the defence community with information regarding the potential of WormGPT and its implications for enhancing the threat landscape and strengthening the protection systems against advanced and constantly evolving threats.
This means the development of rigorous security protocols, general awareness of security solutions, and incorporating technologies such as artificial intelligence to mitigate the risk factors that arise from generative AI tools to the best extent possible.
Executive Summary
A dispute over water balloons on the day of Holi in the Uttam Nagar area of Delhi reportedly turned violent, resulting in the brutal murder of a young man named Tarun Khatik. Following the incident, a video is being widely shared on social media and linked to the murder case. In the viral video, Yogi Adityanath, Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, can be seen walking alongside Ravi Kishan, Member of Parliament from Gorakhpur. People standing along the route are seen showering flowers on them. Several users claim that the video shows the chief minister visiting the house of Tarun Khatik to meet his family.
However, research by CyberPeace found the viral claim to be misleading. Our research revealed that the video has no connection to the Tarun Khatik murder case. In fact, the video is from a Holika Dahan celebration held in Gorakhpur, which is now being shared on social media with a misleading claim.
Claim Post:
An Instagram user shared the viral video on March 10, 2026, writing: “Tarun bhai ko insaaf dilane ke liye aage aaye maananiya mukhyamantri Shri Yogi Adityanath ji.”
Fact Check:
To verify the claim, we extracted several key frames from the viral video and conducted a reverse image search using Google Lens. During the search, we found the same video posted on a Facebook account on March 2, 2026.
According to the caption of the Facebook post, the video shows a grand procession organised by the Shri Shri Holika Dahan Utsav Samiti, Pandeyhata in Gorakhpur. Yogi Adityanath attended the procession and was seen celebrating Holi with people by playing with flowers and coloured powder. During the procession, flower petals were showered on devotees, and the entire area witnessed a festive atmosphere filled with colours, devotion, and enthusiasm. A large number of people participated in the celebration, and the festival was celebrated with traditional drums and music. During further research, we also found images related to the viral video on the official X (formerly Twitter) account of Ravi Kishan. These images were shared on March 2, 2026, and the caption confirmed that they were taken during the Holika Dahan celebration in Gorakhpur.
At the end of the research, we also found the same video uploaded on March 3, 2026 on the Instagram page Local News Gorakhpur. According to the information in the post, Yogi Adityanath and several other leaders participated in the grand procession organised by the Shri Shri Holika Dahan Utsav Samiti, Pandeyhata. People celebrated Holi with flowers and coloured powder during the event.
Conclusion:
Our research found that the viral video has no connection with the Tarun Khatik murder case in Uttam Nagar, Delhi. The video actually shows Yogi Adityanath participating in a Holika Dahan celebration in Gorakhpur. Therefore, the video is being shared on social media with a misleading claim.
