#FactCheck: AI-Generated Image Falsely Shared as Photo of INDIA Bloc Rally at Delhi’s Ramlila Maidan
Executive Summary
A rally was organised by the opposition INDIA bloc at Delhi’s Ramlila Maidan on November 1, 2026, under the slogans of “Vote Chori” and “Save Democracy”, along with a “Chalo Delhi” march. Meanwhile, a photograph is being shared on social media with the claim that it shows the same rally. A large crowd of people can be seen in the picture.
CyberPeace Research found the viral claim to be false. Our research found that the viral image is not authentic but AI-generated.
Claim:
A photograph is being shared on social media with the claim that it shows a rally held at Delhi’s Ramlila Maidan on the issues of “Vote Chori” and “Save Democracy”, which was attended by a large number of people.
https://x.com/CJP_for_India/status/2117125139003588873?a=NW3G6-9xW1sPqHOkUTo&s=20
Fact Check
Upon closely examining the viral image, we noticed certain inconsistencies that raised suspicions that it was AI-generated. We then scanned the image using the AI detection tool Hive Moderation. According to the results, the image is 99 per cent likely to be AI-generated.
Taking our research forward, we scanned the viral image using another AI detection tool, Wasit AI. According to the results, the image is 95 per cent likely to be AI-generated.
Conclusion
Our research found that the viral image is not authentic but AI-generated.
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Introduction
The increase in consumer demands has resulted in a sharp increase in digital financing in India. As a result, the reputation of the digital lending sector has been impacted, as bad actors increasingly deploy illicit lending platforms such as fraudulent loans and trading apps. As millions of Indians download fast loan applications to help them meet their financial ends, the fraudulent apps result in cyber crimes including financial fraud. Consumers need to be vigilant of dubious trading or loan applications as bad actors frequently use illegitimate apps to trick victims by advertising limited-period offers and applying pressure.
Recently the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C) led handel CyberDost has issued a cybercrime alert against the ‘CashExpand-U’ finance assistant app, which has been now removed from the Google Play Store. The app was found to be associated with hostile foreign entities, and the app had made it easier to raise small loans. However, such loan apps are seldom credible and may compromise financial information.
Raising cases of Fraudulent Loan Apps
The finance minister had stated that the government is constantly engaged with the Reserve Bank of India and other regulators and stakeholders to control fraudulent loan apps. In FY23, there were 1,062 complaints against such apps, the Finance Minister shared during a Lok Sabha session. Google removed almost 134 fake apps from the Play Store in a single week in September 2023 after multiple complaints were registered against such apps. The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) had also issued regulatory guidelines on digital lending in April 2023 to bring transparency in the digital loan space.
CyberPeace Policy Wing Advisory for Users
- Be cautious of App Permissions
Fake lending apps collect data by fraudulently taking numerous app permissions from consumers and misusing them later. The users must effectively manage their app permissions to avoid denying any extra permissions such as access to contacts, location, and photos. This is because fraudulent digital lenders access users' personal data to extort additional money even after loan repayment.
- Practice Due Diligence
Consumers must exercise care & caution before applying for a loan from digital lending platforms. Before applying for a loan or downloading any such apps, consumers must conduct due diligence by verifying the app's name, rating, reviews, physical address, and contact information. Always double-verify the paperwork before signing any agreement or contract. Always apply for loans from RBI-approved and compliant banking and financial services providers.
- Download from Official Sources
To avoid downloading counterfeit apps, only download lending apps from official stores like Google Play Store or Apple App Store, and avoid downloading apps from web links sent via SMS, email, or social media, even if shared by your known persons.
- Be sceptical of too-good-to-be-true offerings
Be cautious of deals that seem too good to be true, like hassle-free easy loans as they can be fraudulent. If an offer seems too good to be true, it might be a red flag. Hence always conduct your own research to verify the lender and avoid making hasty decisions.
- Reporting Mechanism
In case of facing a scam by such fraudulent apps, victims can file a complaint with the ‘National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal’ or Cyber Crime Helpline ‘1930’, or they can also contact us at CyberPeace Helpline +919570000066 and helpline@cyberpeace.net to get assistance in reporting their cases.
Final Words
Illegitimate loan/trading apps have been raising concerns by defrauding innocent consumers who seek financial assistance. The Center has recently warned against the CashExpand-U app, which has been now removed from the Google Play Store. Users are advised to exercise due care and caution while downloading loan apps and applying for loans to prevent any potential scams. keep up to date with news from concerned authorities about common scams and fraudulent practices in the lending space and stay safe in the online world.
References:
- https://www.livemint.com/news/beware-govt-issues-cybercrime-alert-against-loan-app-cashexpand-u-finance-assistant-11720338996430.html
- https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/technology/tech-news/government-has-issued-an-important-warning-for-this-loan-app/articleshow/111541577.cms
Executive Summary
A video is being widely shared on social media with the claim that protesters during the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) protest in Delhi pelted stones at India’s first hydrogen train. The viral video shows a train parked at a railway station being attacked with stones amid chaos and heavy commotion. Social media users are claiming that the incident took place at a Delhi railway station, where protesters targeted the country’s new hydrogen train during the CJP march towards Jantar Mantar and damaged public property. CyberPeace Research Wing’s research found the claim to be false. The viral video is not related to the CJP protest or India’s first hydrogen train. The video is from Bihar, where candidates appearing for a Bihar Police Prohibition Department examination had protested over train delays, leading to clashes and stone-pelting.
Claim:
A social media post claimed:“New Delhi: During the march towards Jantar Mantar, a video of stone-pelting on a hydrogen train parked at a railway station is going viral. Some people can be seen throwing stones at the train. Damaging public property is a punishable offence. Further action will be taken based on official information from authorities.”
https://www.facebook.com/reel/1573292581055475
Fact Check:
To verify the authenticity of the viral claim, we extracted keyframes from the video and conducted a reverse image search using Google Lens. During the research, we found the same video clip uploaded on the Facebook page News Bihar on June 14, 2026. According to the post’s caption, the incident took place at Danapur–Patliputra railway station in Patna, Bihar, where thousands of candidates appearing for the Bihar Police Prohibition Department examination became agitated due to train delays. The protest escalated after candidates blocked railway tracks, leading to a confrontation between police personnel and students, including stone-pelting.
https://www.facebook.com/reel/2476273089511309
During further research, we found a video uploaded by Republic World’s YouTube channel on June 14, 2026, which also contained visuals matching the viral clip. The report stated that students in Bihar staged an aggressive protest after trains were delayed. During the protest, clashes broke out between police and students, and authorities used mild force to control the situation.
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/AlamDZzPKLA
During our research, we also found a reply from the official X account of Northern Railway on a similar viral post. In its response, Northern Railway clarified that the train visible in the viral video was not a hydrogen train. The railway authority stated that the video was old and confirmed that hydrogen train services are operating safely and as per their scheduled timetable.
Conclusion:
CyberPeace Research Wing’s research found that the claim linking the viral video to stone-pelting on India’s first hydrogen train during the CJP protest is false. The viral video is from Bihar, where candidates appearing for the Bihar Police Prohibition Department examination protested over train delays, resulting in clashes and stone-pelting at a railway station. The video has been falsely linked to the CJP protest and hydrogen train.
Executive Summary
Employees’ organisations of public sector banks had recently announced a nationwide strike, with one of their key demands being a five-day work week, including holidays on all Saturdays. Against this backdrop, a claim is being circulated on social media that the bank unions’ demand has been accepted and that all public sector banks will now remain closed every Saturday.
However, CyberPeace Research found that the claim that banks will observe holidays on all Saturdays is false. Neither the government nor bank employees’ unions have made any official announcement regarding the implementation of a five-day work week or holidays on all Saturdays.
Claim:
A user on the social media platform Facebook shared what was purportedly an Indian Gazette document, claiming that all banks will now observe a weekly holiday on every Saturday.
https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=122234792282534138&set=a.122114627672534138
Fact Check
We reviewed all the announcements issued by the organisations that had called for the bank strike. None of these organisations issued any statement confirming that their demands had been accepted. We found a statement from the All India Bank Officers’ Confederation (AIBOC), in which the organisation stated in an X post that the strike scheduled for September 28–30, 2026, had been postponed following discussions. However, the organisation did not state anywhere that the demand for holidays on all Saturdays had been accepted.
https://x.com/aiboc_in/status/2104262645507612777?s=20
The United Forum of Bank Unions (UFBU), a joint platform of seven bank employees’ unions, issued a statement on October 1, making it clear that there has been no confirmation so far that the unions’ demands have been accepted. The statement said that a five-member committee has been constituted to consider the demand for holidays on all Saturdays, and the committee will soon prepare a roadmap for taking the matter forward.
https://x.com/UFBUPUNE/status/2105600756795707456
Conclusion:
The claim circulating on social media that all public sector banks will remain closed every Saturday from now on is false. CyberPeace Research found that neither the government nor bank employees’ unions have made any official announcement regarding the declaration of holidays on all Saturdays. Therefore, the claim being circulated on social media is misleading.
