#FactCheck:AI-Generated Image Falsely Shared as Houses Built Inside Mexico City Volcano Crater
Executive Summary
A picture is going viral on social media in the name of Mexico City, with the claim that the city’s population has grown so much that, due to a shortage of space, people have built houses inside the crater of a dormant volcano. The viral picture shows houses and other structures inside the crater, which several users are sharing as a real photograph. The research by the CyberPeace Research Wing found that AI technology was used to create the image. A fact-check by Vishvas News found that there are no houses inside the crater in Mexico, although farming is carried out there and residential areas are located around its outer sections.
Claim:
Facebook page ‘The Great India’ shared a picture on August 12, 2026, claiming, “Mexico City, with a huge population of around 2.5 crore, is facing a severe shortage of land. Due to the city’s unprecedented expansion, people have found an unusual way to create homes — settlements, houses and even playgrounds have reportedly been built inside the crater of a dormant volcano. The city, located in a high plateau surrounded by volcanic hills, has seen people turn volcanic slopes and depressions into habitable areas due to the declining availability of land and rapidly growing population.”
Several users on X also shared the picture believing the claim to be true.
https://x.com/Kapil_Jyani_/status/2087380670909931602?s=20
FactCheck
To verify the viral picture, we first scanned it using Google Lens. We found similar pictures on several websites and social media accounts, where they were identified as the crater of Xico Volcano in Mexico.
During the search, we also found a picture on Shutterstock, which identified the location as the crater of Xico Volcano in Chalco, Mexico.
We then used Google Maps to check the location. The search showed that the Xico crater is located on the southern outskirts of Mexico City. Upon checking the area, we found agricultural activity inside the crater, while some houses could be seen in the surrounding areas.
https://maps.app.goo.gl/hszKcR1a8srtYe91A
During the next stage of the research, we analysed the viral picture using AI detection tools. We first scanned the image using Hive Moderation. The tool indicated more than a 98 per cent probability that the viral picture was AI-generated.
We then checked the picture using another AI detection tool, Sightengine. Its analysis also indicated a 99 per cent probability that the image was AI-generated.
Conclusion
Our research found that the claim that people have built houses inside a volcano crater in Mexico City due to a shortage of land is false. Although farming takes place inside the Xico crater, residential areas are located outside it. The viral picture was created using AI and is being shared with a misleading claim.
Related Blogs
About Customs Scam:
The Customs Scam is a type of fraud where the scammers pretend to be from the renowned courier office company (DTDC, etc.), or customs department or other government entities. They try to deceive the targets to transfer the money to resolve the fake customs related concerns. The Research Wing at CyberPeace along with the Research Wing of Autobot Infosec Private Ltd. delved into this case through Open Source Intelligence methods and undercover interactions with the scammers and concluded with some credible information.
Case Study:
The victim receives a phone call posing as a renowned courier office (DTDC, etc.) employee (in some case custom’s officer) that a parcel in the name of the victim has been taken into custody because of inappropriate content. The scammer provides the victim an employee ID, FIR number to prove the authenticity of the case and also they show empathy towards the victim. The scammer pretends to help the victim to connect with a police officer for further action. This so-called police officer shows transparency in his work. He asks him to join a skype video call and he even provides time to install the skype app. He instructs the victim to connect with the skype id provided by the fake police officer where the scammer created a fake police station environment. He also claims that he contacted the headquarters and the victim’s phone number is associated with many illegal activities to create panic to the victim. Then the scammers also ask the victim to give their personal details such as home address, office address, aadhar card number, PAN card number and screenshot of their bank accounts along with their available account balance for the sake of so-called investigation. Sometimes scammers also demand a high amount of money to resolve the issue and create fake urgency to trap the victim in making the payment. He sternly warns the victim not to contact any other police officials or professionals, making it clear that doing so would only lead to more trouble.
Analysis & Findings:
After receiving these kinds of complaints from multiple sources, the analysis was done on the collection of phone numbers from where the calls originated. These phone numbers were analysed for alias name, location, Telecom operator, etc. Further, we have verified the number to check whether the number is linked with any social media account on reputed platforms like Google, Facebook, Whatsapp, Twitter, Instagram, Linkedin, and other classified platforms such as Locanto.
- Phone Number Analysis: Each phone number looks authentic, cleverly concealing the fraud. Sometimes scammers use virtual/temporary phone numbers for these kinds of scams. In this case the victim was from Delhi, so the scammer posed themselves from Delhi Police station, while the phone numbers belong to a different place.
- Undercover Interactions: The interactions with the suspects reveals their chilling way of modus operandi. These scammers are masters of psychological manipulation. They threaten the victims and act as if they are genuine LEA officers.
- Exploitation Tactics: They target unsuspecting individuals and create fear and fake urgency among the targets to extract sensitive information such as Aadhaar, PAN card and bank account details.
- Fraud Execution: The scammers demand for the payment to resolve this issue and they make use of the stolen personally identifiable information. Once the victims transfer the money, the fraudsters cut off all the communication.
- Outcome for Victims: The scammers act so genuine and they frame the incidents so realistic, victims don't realise that they are trapped in this scam. They suffer severe financial loss and psychological trauma.
Recommendations:
- Verify Identities: It is important to verify the identity of any individual, especially if they demand personal information or payment. Contact the official agency directly using verified contact details to confirm the authenticity of the communication.
- Education on Personal Information: Provide education to people to protect their personal identity numbers like Aadhaar and PAN card number. Always emphasise the possible dangers connected to sharing such data in the course of phone conversations.
- Report Suspicious Activity: Prompt reporting of suspicious phone calls or messages to relevant authorities and consumer protection agencies helps in tracking down scammers and prevents people from falling. Report to https://cybercrime.gov.in or reach out to helpline@cyberpeace.net for further assistance.
- Enhanced Cybersecurity Measures: Implement robust cybersecurity measures to detect and mitigate phishing attempts and fraudulent activities. This includes monitoring and blocking suspicious phone numbers and IP addresses associated with scams.
Conclusion:
In the Customs Scam fraud, the scammers pretend to be a custom or any government official and sometimes threaten the targets to get the details such as Aadhaar, PAN card details, screenshot of their bank accounts along with their available balance in their account. The phone numbers used for these kinds of scams were analysed for any suspicious activity. It is found that all the phone numbers look authentic concealing the fraudentent activities. The interactions made with them reveals that they create fearness and urgency between the individuals. They act as if they are genuine officer’s and ask for money to resolve this issue. It is important to stay vigilant and not to share any personal or financial information. When facing these kinds of scams, report and spread awareness among individuals.
Introduction
To combat the problem of annoying calls and SMS, telecom regulator TRAI has urged service providers to create a uniform digital platform in two months that will allow them to request, maintain, and withdraw customers’ approval for promotional calls and messages. In the initial stage, only subscribers will be able to initiate the process of registering their consent to receive promotional calls and SMS, and later, business entities will be able to contact customers to seek their consent to receive promotional messages, according to a statement issued by the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) on Saturday.
TRAI Directs Telecom Providers to Set Up Digital Platform
TRAI has now directed all access providers to develop and deploy the Digital Consent Acquisition (DCA) facility for creating a unified platform and process to digitally register customers’ consent across all service providers and principal entities. Consent is received and maintained under the current system by several key entities such as banks, other financial institutions, insurance firms, trading companies, business entities, real estate businesses, and so on.
The purpose, scope of consent, and the principal entity or brand name shall be clearly mentioned in the consent-seeking message sent over the short code,” according to the statement.
It stated that only approved online or app links, call-back numbers, and so on will be permitted to be used in consent-seeking communications.
TRAI issued guidelines to guarantee that all voice-based Telemarketers are brought under a single Distributed ledger technology (DLT) platform for more efficient monitoring of nuisance calls and unwanted communications. It also instructs operators to actively deploy AI/ML-based anti-phishing systems as well as to integrate tech solutions on the DLT platform to deal with malicious calls and texts.
TRAI has issued two separate Directions to Access Service Providers under TCCCPR-2018 (Telecom Commercial Communications Customer Preference Regulations) to ensure that all promotional messages are sent through Registered Telemarketers (RTMs) using approved Headers and Message Templates on Distributed Ledger Technologies (DLT) platform, and to stop misuse of Headers and Message Templates,” the regulator said in a statement.
Users can already block telemarketing calls and texts by texting 1909 from their registered mobile number. By dialing 1909, customers can opt out of getting advertising calls by activating the do not disturb (DND) feature.
Telecom providers operate DLT platforms, and businesses involved in sending bulk promotional or transactional SMS must register by providing their company information, including sender IDs and SMS templates.
According to the instructions, telecom companies will send consent-seeking messages using the common short code 127. The goal, extent of consent, and primary entity/brand name must be clearly stated in the consent-seeking message delivered via the shortcode.
TRAI stated that only whitelisted URLs/APKs (Android package kits file format)/OTT links/call back numbers, etc., shall be used in consent-seeking messages.
Telcos must “ensure that promotional messages are not transmitted by unregistered telemarketers or telemarketers using telephone numbers (10 digits numbers).” Telecom providers have been urged to act against all erring telemarketers in accordance with the applicable regulations and legal requirements.
Users can, however, refuse to receive any consent-seeking messages launched by any significant Telcos have been urged to create an SMS/IVR (interactive voice response)/online service for this purpose.
According to TRAI’s timeline, the consent-taking process by primary companies will begin on September 1.According to a nationwide survey conducted by a local circle, 66% of mobile users continue to receive three or more bothersome calls per day, the majority of which originate from personal cell numbers.
There are scams surfacing on the internet with new types of scams, like WhatsApp international call scams. The latest scam is targeting Delhi police, the scammers pretend to be police officials of Delhi and ask for the personal details of the users and the calling them from a 9-digit number.
A recent scam
A Twitter user reported receiving an automated call from +91 96681 9555, stating, “This call is from Delhi Police.” It went on to ask her to stay in the queue since some of her documents needed to be picked up. Then he said he is a sub-inspector at New Delhi’s Kirti Nagar police station. He then questioned if she had lately misplaced her Aadhaar card, PAN card, or ATM card, to which she replied ‘no’. The fraudster then claims to be a cop and asks her to validate the final four digits of her card because they have discovered a card with her name on it. And so many other people tweeted about this.
The scams are constantly increasing as earlier these scammers asked for account details and claimed to be Delhi police and used 9-digit numbers for scamming people.
TRAI’s new guidelines regarding the consent to receive any promotional calls and messages to telecommunication providers will be able to curb the scams.
The e- KYC is an essential requirement as e-KYC offers a more secure identity verification process in an increasingly digital age that uses biometric technologies to provide quick results.
Conclusion
The aim is to prevent unwanted calls and communications sent to customers via digital methods without their permission. Once this platform is implemented, an organization can only send promotional calls or messages with the customer’s explicit approval. Companies use a variety of methods to notify clients about their products, including phone calls, text messages, emails, and social media. Customers, however, are constantly assaulted with the same calls and messages as a result of this practice. With the constant increase in scams, the new guideline of TRAI will also curb the calling of Scams. digital KYC prevents SIM fraud and offers a more secure identity verification method.
Introduction
We consume news from various sources such as news channels, social media platforms and the Internet etc. In the age of the Internet and social media, the concern of misinformation has become a common issue as there is widespread misinformation or fake news on the Internet and social media platforms.
Misinformation on social media platforms
The wide availability of user-provided content on online social media platforms facilitates the spread of misinformation. With the vast population on social media platforms, the information gets viral and spreads all over the internet. It has become a serious concern as such misinformation, including rumours, morphed images, unverified information, fake news, and planted stories, spread easily on the internet, leading to severe consequences such as public riots, lynching, communal tensions, misconception about facts, defamation etc.
Platform-centric measures to mitigate the spread of misinformation
- Google introduced the ‘About this result’ feature’. This allows the users to help with better understand the search results and websites at a glance.
- During the covid-19 pandemic, there were huge cases of misinformation being shared. Google, in April 2020, invested $6.5 million in funding to fact-checkers and non-profits fighting misinformation around the world, including a check on information related to coronavirus or on issues related to the treatment, prevention, and transmission of Covid-19.
- YouTube also have its Medical Misinformation Policy which prevents the spread of information or content which is in contravention of the World Health Organization (WHO) or local health authorities.
- At the time of the Covid-19 pandemic, major social media platforms such as Facebook and Instagram have started showing awareness pop-ups which connected people to information directly from the WHO and regional authorities.
- WhatsApp has a limit on the number of times a WhatsApp message can be forwarded to prevent the spread of fake news. And also shows on top of the message that it is forwarded many times. WhatsApp has also partnered with fact-checking organisations to make sure to have access to accurate information.
- On Instagram as well, when content has been rated as false or partly false, Instagram either removes it or reduces its distribution by reducing its visibility in Feeds.
Fight Against Misinformation
Misinformation is rampant all across the world, and the same needs to be addressed at the earliest. Multiple developed nations have synergised with tech bases companies to address this issue, and with the increasing penetration of social media and the internet, this remains a global issue. Big tech companies such as Meta and Google have undertaken various initiatives globally to address this issue. Google has taken up the initiative to address this issue in India and, in collaboration with Civil Society Organisations, multiple avenues for mass-scale awareness and upskilling campaigns have been piloted to make an impact on the ground.
How to prevent the spread of misinformation?
Conclusion
In the digital media space, there is a widespread of misinformative content and information. Platforms like Google and other social media platforms have taken proactive steps to prevent the spread of misinformation. Users should also act responsibly while sharing any information. Hence creating a safe digital environment for everyone.
