#FactCheck- Viral video of UP Police patrolling on e-rickshaw is AI-generated

Introduction

The rise of misinformation, disinformation, and synthetic media content on the internet and social media platforms has raised serious concerns, emphasizing the need for responsible use of social media to maintain information accuracy and combat misinformation incidents. With online misinformation rampant all over the world, the World Economic Forum's 2024 Global Risk Report, notably ranks India amongst the highest in terms of risk of mis/disinformation. 

The widespread online misinformation on social media platforms necessitates a joint effort between tech/social media platforms and the government to counter such incidents. The Indian government is actively seeking to collaborate with tech/social media platforms to foster a safe and trustworthy digital environment and to also ensure compliance with intermediary rules and regulations. The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has used ‘extraordinary powers’ to block certain YouTube channels, X (Twitter) & Facebook accounts, allegedly used to spread harmful misinformation. The government has issued advisories regulating deepfake and misinformation, and social media platforms initiated efforts to implement algorithmic and technical improvements to counter misinformation and secure the information landscape.

Efforts by the Government and Social Media Platforms to Combat Misinformation

1. Advisory regulating AI, deepfake and misinformation

The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) issued a modified advisory on 15th March 2024, in suppression of the advisory issued on 1st March 2024. The latest advisory specifies that the platforms should inform all users about the consequences of dealing with unlawful information on platforms, including disabling access, removing non-compliant information, suspension or termination of access or usage rights of the user to their user account and imposing punishment under applicable law. The advisory necessitates identifying synthetically created content across various formats, and instructs platforms to employ labels, unique identifiers, or metadata to ensure transparency. 

2. Rules related to content regulation

The Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021 (Updated as on 6.4.2023) have been enacted under the IT Act, 2000. These rules assign specific obligations on intermediaries as to what kind of information is to be hosted, displayed, uploaded, published, transmitted, stored or shared. The rules also specify provisions to establish a grievance redressal mechanism by platforms and remove unlawful content within stipulated time frames.

3. Counteracting misinformation during Indian elections 2024

To counter misinformation during the Indian elections the government and social media platforms made their best efforts to ensure the electoral integrity was saved from any threat of mis/disinformation. The Election Commission of India (ECI) further launched the 'Myth vs Reality Register' to combat misinformation and to ensure the integrity of the electoral process during the general elections in 2024. The ECI collaborated with Google to empower the citizenry by making it easy to find critical voting information on Google Search and YouTube. In this way, Google has supported the 2024 Indian General Election by providing high-quality information to voters and helping people navigate AI-generated content. Google connected voters to helpful information through product features that show data from trusted institutions across its portfolio. YouTube showcased election information panels, featuring content from authoritative sources.

4. YouTube and X (Twitter) new ‘Notes Feature’

• Notes Feature on YouTube: YouTube is testing an experimental feature that allows users to add notes to provide relevant, timely, and easy-to-understand context for videos. This initiative builds on previous products that display helpful information alongside videos, such as information panels and disclosure requirements when content is altered or synthetic. YouTube clarified that the pilot will be available on mobiles in the U.S. and in the English language, to start with. During this test phase, viewers, participants, and creators are invited to give feedback on the quality of the notes.
• Community Notes feature on X: Community Notes on X aims to enhance the understanding of potentially misleading posts by allowing users to add context to them. Contributors can leave notes on any post, and if enough people rate the note as helpful, it will be publicly displayed. The algorithm is open source and publicly available on GitHub, allowing anyone to audit, analyze, or suggest improvements. However, Community Notes do not represent X's viewpoint and cannot be edited or modified by their teams. A post with a Community Note will not be labelled, removed, or addressed by X unless it violates the X Rules, Terms of Service, or Privacy Policy. Failure to abide by these rules can result in removal from accessing Community Notes and/or other remediations. Users can report notes that do not comply with the rules by selecting the menu on a note and selecting ‘Report’ or using the provided form.

CyberPeace Policy Recommendations

Countering widespread online misinformation on social media platforms requires a multipronged approach that involves joint efforts from different stakeholders. Platforms should invest in state-of-the-art algorithms and technology to detect and flag suspected misleading information. They should also establish trustworthy fact-checking protocols and collaborate with expert fact-checking groups. Campaigns, seminars, and other educational materials must be encouraged by the government to increase public awareness and digital literacy about the mis/disinformation risks and impacts. Netizens should be empowered with the necessary skills and ability to discern fact and misleading information to successfully browse true information in the digital information age. The joint efforts by Government authorities, tech companies, and expert cyber security organisations are vital in promoting a secure and honest online information landscape and countering the spread of mis/disinformation. Platforms must encourage netizens/users to foster appropriate online conduct while using platforms and abiding by the terms & conditions and community guidelines of the platforms. Encouraging a culture of truth and integrity on the internet, honouring differing points of view, and confirming facts all help to create a more reliable and information-resilient environment. 

References:

1. https://www.meity.gov.in/writereaddata/files/Advisory%2015March%202024.pdf
2. https://blog.google/intl/en-in/company-news/outreach-initiatives/supporting-the-2024-indian-general-election/
3. https://blog.youtube/news-and-events/new-ways-to-offer-viewers-more-context/
4. https://help.x.com/en/using-x/community-notes

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Executive Summary

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A video of Indian Army Chief General Dhiraj Seth is being shared on social media, allegedly showing him referring to an incident in which Major Rajendra Pratap Singh survived for 40 days by drinking cow urine during the 1965 India-Pakistan war and saying that Indian Army personnel should keep such a practice alive. The video is being shared with the claim that General Dhiraj Seth said that Major Rajendra Pratap Singh had consumed cow urine for 40 days to quench his thirst during the 1965 war and that serving Army personnel should also continue the practice. However, CyberPeace Research Wing found the claim to be false. The viral video has been digitally manipulated, with fabricated audio/remarks added to it. In the original video, General Dhiraj Seth did not make any such statement.

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Claim:

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Indian Army Chief General Dhiraj Seth allegedly referred to an incident in which Major Rajendra Pratap Singh survived for 40 days by drinking cow urine during the 1965 India-Pakistan war and urged serving Army personnel to keep the practice alive.

https://x.com/InsiderWB/status/2104242428647727428

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Fact Check

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To verify the truth behind the viral claim, we conducted a Google search using relevant keywords. During the search, we did not find any credible media reports supporting the claim. As part of the next step in our research, we extracted keyframes from the video and conducted a reverse image search. During the research, we found the original video on Gulistan News, which was published on September 25, 2026.

https://x.com/GulistanNewsTV/status/2103461004374061389 

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According to Gulistan News, Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) General Dhiraj Seth, PVSM, UYSM, AVSM, visited Karnah in Kupwara and interacted with ex-servicemen and veterans in the forward area. During the visit, the Army Chief also took stock of the ongoing ‘Operation Drishti’ Mega Eye and Cataract Surgical Camp at FSC Tangdhar. The initiative highlights the Indian Army’s commitment to the welfare of veterans and local communities in remote border areas. Further research led us to a video posted by the Press Trust of India (PTI) on X. According to its caption, Army Chief (COAS) General Dhiraj Seth visited the mega cataract surgery camp organised by the Indian Army at Tangdhar in Kupwara district and interacted with patients and army veterans.

https://x.com/PTI_News/status/2103404022279598579?s=20 

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After verifying the viral video, we conducted a Google search using relevant keywords. During the search, we found a report by the news agency Kashmir News Observer (KNO). According to the report, Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) General Dhiraj Seth visited Karnah in Kupwara district on Friday and interacted with ex-servicemen and veterans in the forward area. During the visit, the Army Chief took stock of the ongoing ‘Operation Drishti’ Mega Cataract Surgery Camp at the Forward Surgical Centre (FSC), Tangdhar.The COAS also interacted with veterans and ex-servicemen and took note of their welfare and healthcare-related concerns.The seven-day initiative, being conducted under the aegis of Chinar Corps in coordination with the Directorate General of Armed Forces Medical Services (DGAFMS), aims to provide advanced ophthalmic care to civilians and veterans residing in remote border areas.

https://www.kashmirnewsobserver.com/top-stories/army-chief-in-karnah-interacts-with-veterans-kno-206120 

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We scanned the video using the AI detection tool Detect Video AI. According to the results, the viral video is 75 per cent AI-generated.

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At the end of our research, we also scanned the video using HumanMeter. According to the results, the viral video is 80 per cent AI-generated.

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Conclusion: 

The video being circulated on social media in the name of Indian Army Chief General Dhiraj Seth is misleading. The viral video purportedly shows him referring to an incident in which Major Rajendra Pratap Singh allegedly survived for 40 days by drinking cow urine during the 1965 India-Pakistan war and saying that Army personnel should keep the practice alive. However, the original video available does not contain any such statement by General Dhiraj Seth. The viral video has been digitally manipulated, with fabricated remarks attributed to him.

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Introduction

Most people who lose money to an online scam do the same thing first. They stare at the bank message and try to work out whether it can still be undone. Sometimes it can, but only if the right people move within hours. In Delhi, once the amount crosses ₹50 lakh, those people sit in a unit most residents have never heard of: the Intelligence Fusion and Strategic Operations unit, known as IFSO.

The scale explains why it exists. Delhi residents lost close to ₹1,000 crore to cyber fraud in 2025, after roughly ₹1,100 crore in 2024, and police counted at least 376 cases in 2025 in which a single victim lost more than ₹50 lakh. Investment scams, boss impersonation and "digital arrest" calls, in which fraudsters pose as police, CBI or courier officials and convince a victim that they are under investigation, topped the list.

Where IFSO came from

IFSO's roots go back to February 2019, when the then Union Home Minister inaugurated the National Cyber Forensic Lab alongside a Delhi Police cybercrime unit called CyPAD. CyPAD was later renamed IFSO, and for years it worked inside the Special Cell, the force's counter-terror and organised crime wing. On 3 December 2025, an order approved by the Commissioner of Police made it a standalone unit, with all its personnel reporting directly to a Deputy Commissioner of Police (IFSO). By then the city also had dedicated cyber police stations in all 15 districts, which matters for what follows.

Who takes which case

Delhi Police sorts cyber fraud by the amount lost.

The split came with a change that matters to ordinary victims. From 1 November 2025, anyone who has lost ₹1 lakh or more can have an e-FIR registered at the Integrated Help Desk of any police station in the capital, down from a ₹10 lakh threshold earlier. Smaller losses still go through the 1930 helpline and the national portal. In practice, then, the amount decides who takes the case after you report, not which door you walk through.

What IFSO actually does

It chases the money, fast. Stolen funds rarely stay put. They hop through chains of "mule" accounts within minutes. When a victim reports and supplies transaction details, IFSO starts what police call lien marking, asking banks to put a hold on the money. According to the unit's DCP, Delhi Police managed to hold nearly 20 per cent of defrauded funds in 2025, almost double the share in 2024.

It works across state lines and borders. In October 2026, IFSO was reported to have broken a syndicate with handlers in Cambodia and other Southeast Asian countries, arresting 11 people. In the same operation, working with Andhra Pradesh Police, it helped secure ₹7.25 crore from the ₹10.25 crore taken from a 79-year-old man in Vijayawada, and put a hold on a further ₹1.96 crore. The network was linked to 78 complaints on the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal, across several states, involving about ₹73 crore.

It tries to intervene before the money is gone. Reports describe a financial monitoring wing that identifies potential victims while a scam is still unfolding. In one round of interventions it reportedly helped prevent about ₹1.53 crore in losses across five states, including an elderly man held in fear by a "digital arrest" for 14 days.

It brings the forensic muscle. Reporting describes IFSO as home to a cybercrime lab whose services are available to police forces in other states, which is part of why complex, multi-state cases land with it.

If it happens to you or someone you know

Time is the one thing you cannot get back, so the order matters.

1. Call the national cyber helpline, 1930, immediately, and tell your bank at the same time.
2. File the complaint on cybercrime.gov.in. In Delhi, if the loss is ₹1 lakh or more, you can also have an e-FIR registered at any police station's help desk.
3. Keep everything: transaction IDs, account numbers, the scammer's phone numbers, screenshots, chats, call logs. Do not delete the app or the conversation.
4. Do not pay anyone who offers to recover your money for a fee. Delhi Police advice is blunt: do not join online investment groups, do not install unknown .apk files, and do not transfer money without verification.

Why the First Hour Counts

Picture the money after a scam. It rarely sits in one place. Within hours it is usually split across several “mule” accounts, then withdrawn or pushed onward, sometimes into crypto. That is the whole reason 1930 exists.

The helpline is run by the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre under the Home Ministry, around the clock. When you call, the details go into a system called CFCFRMS, which alerts whichever bank or wallet is holding the money at that moment and asks it to freeze the amount before it moves again. Under a procedure issued on 2 January 2026, the call itself is handled by the police of your own state.

The numbers are large. By 30 June 2026, the Home Ministry told the Lok Sabha, more than ₹11,158 crore had been “saved” across over 32.80 lakh complaints. Read that word carefully, though: “saved” means held by banks, not handed back. Getting it back is a separate step, and a Money Restoration Module, live since April 2026, was built to speed that up.

A change to watch: D4C

On Tuesday, 25 August 2026, the Delhi Government approved a new body, the Delhi Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (D4C), meant to be the nodal agency for cyber fraud under the Commissioner of Police, with a command centre at Police Headquarters on Jai Singh Road working around the clock. Hindi reporting at the time said IFSO would be merged into it. IFSO's investigation wing, the digital investigation lab, the training and awareness centre, the 1930 helpline control room in Haiderpur and a Fraud Mitigation Centre, where bank representatives are to sit alongside police, would all come under D4C, and the 15 district cyber stations would work to its directions. English coverage noted that how the two bodies relate had not been fully explained.

For a victim the advice does not change: report first through 1930 or the portal, and let the system route the case. What may change is the name on the door.

The takeaway

Policing can claw money back only while it is still traceable, and that window is measured in hours. IFSO's record shows what a specialist unit can do inside it. The rest of the work belongs to the rest of us: verify before paying, report early, and never be embarrassed to call 1930.

References

1. https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/delhi/delhi-police-lowers-e-fir-threshold-for-cyber-fraud-cases-to-1-lakh/
2. https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/delhi/delhiites-lose-rs-1000-crore-to-cyber-frauds-in-2025/amp
3. https://thepatriot.in/crime/over-7000-arrested-in-delhi-polices-biggest-cybercrime-crackdown-86937
4. https://www.theweek.in/wire-updates/national/2025/12/04/des90-dl-ifso-separation.html
5. https://www.thestatesman.com/cities/delhi/delhi-police-busts-digital-arrest-syndicate-with-foreign-links-11-arrested-rs-7-25-crore-saved-1503650650.html
6. https://www.newshubonline.com/delhi-police-foil-cyber-fraud-attempts-worth-%E2%82%B91-53-crore-across-five-states-rescue-senior-citizens-from-digital-arrest-scams/
7. https://www.bwpoliceworld.com/article/delhi-police-will-now-host-d4c-instead-of-ifso-to-tackle-cybercrime-621038
8. https://www.saahassamachar.in/big-action-on-cyber-fraud-in-delhi-new-d4c-center-will-work-24-hours
9. https://aninews.in/news/national/general-news/delhi-police-d4c-to-have-dedicated-unit-for-school-bomb-threat-emails-online-crimes-against-women-and-children20260831103631/

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