#FactCheck: AI-Generated Photo Shared to Claim Boycott of Hindu Sammelan
Executive Summary:
A photo circulating on social media shows a stage with the words “Hindu Sammelan” (Hindu Conference) written in large letters. In front of the stage, rows of chairs appear largely empty, with only a few people seated while most seats remain vacant.
Users sharing the image claim that the event, held under the banner of a “Hindu Sammelan,” was in fact a “Brahmin Sammelan,” and that indigenous communities chose to stay away, resulting in poor attendance.
It is noteworthy that, on the occasion of the centenary year of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), various “Hindu Sammelan” events are being organized across the country. The viral image is being linked to this broader context.
However, research conducted by the CyberPeace found the viral claim to be false. Our research revealed that the image being shared on social media is not authentic but AI-generated and is being circulated with a misleading narrative.
Claim
On February 21, 2026, a Facebook user shared the viral image. The original and archived links are provided below
- https://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=935049042540479&set=gm.2425972001215469&idorvanity=465387370607285
- https://ghostarchive.org/archive/sxC6d
Fact Check:
A keyword search on Google confirmed that several “Hindu Sammelan” events have indeed been organized across the country as part of the RSS centenary year. For instance, media reports have covered such events in different cities, including Nagpur.
However, upon closely examining the viral image, we observed certain visual inconsistencies and unnatural elements that raised suspicion of AI generation. We first analyzed the image using the AI detection tool Hive Moderation, which indicated a 79.3 percent probability that the image was AI-generated.
To further verify, we scanned the image using another AI detection platform, Sightengine. The results showed a 97 percent likelihood that the image was AI-generated.
Conclusion
Our research confirms that the image circulating on social media is not genuine. It has been artificially created using AI technology and is being shared with a misleading claim.
Related Blogs
Executive Summary:
A video that circulated on social media to show Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi inside a helicopter moments before the tragic crash on May 20, 2024, has equally been proven to be fake. The validation of information leaves no doubt, that the video was shot in January 2024, which showed Raisi’s visiting Nemroud Reservoir Dam project. As a means of verifying the origin of the video, the CyberPeace Research Team conducted reverse image search and analyzed the information obtained from the Islamic Republic News Agency, Mehran News, and the Iranian Students’ News Agency. Further, the associated press pointed out inconsistencies between the part in the video that went viral and the segment that was shown by Iranian state television. The original video is old and it is not related to the tragic crash as there is incongruence between the snowy background and the green landscape with a river presented in the clip.
Claims:
A video circulating on social media claims to show Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi inside a helicopter an hour before his fatal crash.
Fact Check:
Upon receiving the posts, in some of the social media posts we found some similar watermarks of the IRNA News agency and Nouk-e-Qalam News.
Taking a cue from this, we performed a keyword search to find any credible source of the shared video, but we found no such video uploaded by the IRNA News agency on their website. Recently, they haven’t uploaded any video regarding the viral news.
We closely analyzed the video, it can be seen that President Ebrahim Raisi was watching outside the snow-covered mountain, but in the internet-available footage regarding the accident, there were no such snow-covered mountains that could be seen but green forest.
We then checked for any social media posts uploaded by IRNA News Agency and found that they had uploaded the same video on X on January 18, 2024. The post clearly indicates the President’s aerial visit to Nemroud Dam.
The viral video is old and does not contain scenes that appear before the tragic chopper crash involving President Raisi.
Conclusion:
The viral clip is not related to the fatal crash of Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi's helicopter and is actually from a January 2024 visit to the Nemroud Reservoir Dam project. The claim that the video shows visuals before the crash is false and misleading.
- Claim: Viral Video of Iranian President Raisi was shot before fatal chopper crash.
- Claimed on: X (Formerly known as Twitter), YouTube, Instagram
- Fact Check: Fake & Misleading
Introduction
In the wake of the Spy Loan scandal, more than a dozen malicious loan apps were downloaded on Android phones from the Google Play Store, However, the number is significantly higher because they are also available on third-party marketplaces and questionable websites.
Unmasking the Scam
When a user borrows money, these predatory lending applications capture large quantities of information from their smartphone, which is then used to blackmail and force them into returning the total with hefty interest levels. While the loan amount is disbursed to users, these predatory loan apps request sensitive information by granting access to the camera, contacts, messages, logs, images, Wi-Fi network details, calendar information, and other personal information. These are then sent to loan shark servers.
The researchers have disclosed facts about the applications used by loan sharks to mislead consumers, as well as the numerous techniques used to circumvent some of the limitations imposed on the Play Store. Malware is often created with appealing user interfaces and promotes simple and rapid access to cash with high-interest payback conditions. The revelation of the Spy Loan scandal has triggered an immediate response from law enforcement agencies worldwide. There is an urgency to protect millions of users from becoming victims of malicious loan apps, it has become extremely important for law enforcement to unmask the culprits and dismantle the cyber-criminal network.
Aap’s banned: here is the list of the apps banned by Google Play Store :
- AA Kredit: इंस्टेंट लोन ऐप (com.aa.kredit.android)
- Amor Cash: Préstamos Sin Buró (com.amorcash.credito.prestamo)
- Oro Préstamo – Efectivo rápido (com.app.lo.go)
- Cashwow (com.cashwow.cow.eg)
- CrediBus Préstamos de crédito (com.dinero.profin.prestamo.credito.credit.credibus.loan.efectivo.cash)
- ยืมด้วยความมั่นใจ – ยืมด่วน (com.flashloan.wsft)
- PréstamosCrédito – GuayabaCash (com.guayaba.cash.okredito.mx.tala)
- Préstamos De Crédito-YumiCash (com.loan.cash.credit.tala.prestmo.fast.branch.mextamo)
- Go Crédito – de confianza (com.mlo.xango)
- Instantáneo Préstamo (com.mmp.optima)
- Cartera grande (com.mxolp.postloan)
- Rápido Crédito (com.okey.prestamo)
- Finupp Lending (com.shuiyiwenhua.gl)
- 4S Cash (com.swefjjghs.weejteop)
- TrueNaira – Online Loan (com.truenaira.cashloan.moneycredit)
- EasyCash (king.credit.ng)
- สินเชื่อปลอดภัย – สะดวก (com.sc.safe.credit)
Risks with several dimensions
SpyLoan's loan application violates Google's Financial Services policy by unilaterally shortening the repayment period for personal loans to a few days or any other arbitrary time frame. Additionally, the company threatens users with public embarrassment and exposure if they do not comply with such unreasonable demands.
Furthermore, the privacy rules presented by SpyLoan are misleading. While ostensibly reasonable justifications are provided for obtaining certain permissions, they are very intrusive practices. For instance, camera permission is ostensibly required for picture data uploads for Know Your Customer (KYC) purposes, and access to the user's calendar is ostensibly required to plan payment dates and reminders. However, both of these permissions are dangerous and can potentially infringe on users' privacy.
Prosecution Strategies and Legal Framework
The law enforcement agencies and legal authorities initiated prosecution strategies against the individuals who are involved in the Spy Loan Scandal, this multifaced approach involves international agreements and the exploration of innovative legal avenues. Agencies need to collaborate with International agencies to work on specific cyber-crime, leveraging the legal frameworks against digital fraud furthermore, the cross-border nature of the spy loan operation requires a strong legal framework to exchange information, extradition requests, and the pursuit of legal actions across multiple jurisdictions.
Legal Protections for Victims: Seeking Compensation and Restitution
As the legal battle unfolds in the aftermath of the Spy loan scam the focus shifts towards the victims, who suffer financial loss from such fraudulent apps. Beyond prosecuting culprits, the pursuit of justice should involve legal safeguards for victims. Existing consumer protection laws serve as a crucial shield for Spy Loan victims. These laws are designed to safeguard the rights of individuals against unfair practices.
Challenges in legal representation
As the legal hunt for justice in the Spy Loan scam progresses, it encounters challenges that demand careful navigation and strategic solutions. One of the primary obstacles in the legal pursuit of the Spy loan app lies in the jurisdictional complexities. Within the national borders, it’s quite challenging to define the jurisdiction that holds the authority, and a unified approach in prosecuting the offenders in various regions with the efforts of various government agencies.
Concealing the digital identities
One of the major challenges faced is the anonymity afforded by the digital realm poses a challenge in identifying and catching the perpetrators of the scam, the scammers conceal their identity and make it difficult for law enforcement agencies to attribute to actions against the individuals, this challenge can be overcome by joint effort by international agencies and using the advance digital forensics and use of edge cutting technology to unmask these scammers.
Technological challenges
The nature of cyber threats and crime patterns are changing day by day as technology advances this has become a challenge for legal authorities, the scammers explore vulnerabilities, making it essential, for law enforcement agencies to be a step ahead, which requires continuous training of cybercrime and cyber security.
Shaping the policies to prevent future fraud
As the scam unfolds, it has become really important to empower users by creating more and more awareness campaigns. The developers of the apps need to have a transparent approach to users.
Conclusion
It is really important to shape the policies to prevent future cyber frauds with a multifaced approach. Proposals for legislative amendments, international collaboration, accountability measures, technology protections, and public awareness programs all contribute to the creation of a legal framework that is proactive, flexible, and robust to cybercriminals' shifting techniques. The legal system is at the forefront of this effort, playing a critical role in developing regulations that will protect the digital landscape for years to come.
Safeguarding against spyware threats like SpyLoan requires vigilance and adherence to best practices. Users should exclusively download apps from official sources, meticulously verify the authenticity of offerings, scrutinize reviews, and carefully assess permissions before installation.
References
Executive Summary:
The rise in cybercrime targeting vulnerable individuals, particularly students and their families, has reached alarming levels. Impersonation scams, where fraudsters pose as Law Enforcement Officers, have become increasingly sophisticated, exploiting fear, urgency, and social stigma. This report delves into recent incidents of ransom scams involving fake CBI officers, highlighting the execution methods, psychological impact on victims, and preventive measures. The goal is to raise public awareness and equip individuals with the knowledge needed to protect themselves from such fraudulent activities.
Introduction:
Cybercriminals are evolving their tactics, with impersonation and social engineering at the forefront. Scams involving fake law enforcement officers have become rampant, preying on the fear of legal repercussions and the desire to protect loved ones. This report examines incidents where scammers impersonated CBI officers to extort money from families of students, emphasizing the urgent need for awareness, verification, and preventive measures.
Case Study:
This case study explains how the scammers impersonate themselves for the money targeting students' families.
Targets receive calls from scammers posing as CBI officers. Mostly the families of students are targeted by the fraudsters using sophisticated impersonation and emotional manipulation tactics. In our case study, the targets received calls from unknown international numbers, falsely claiming that the students, along with their friends, were involved in a fabricated rape case. The parents get calls during school or college hours, a time when it is particularly difficult and chaotic for parents to reach their children, adding to the panic and sense of urgency. The scammers manipulate the parents by stating that, due to the students' clean records, they are not officially arrested but would face severe legal consequences unless a sum of money is paid immediately.
Although in these specific cases, the parents did not pay the money, many parents in our country fall victim to such scams, paying large sums out of fear and desperation to protect their children’s futures. The fear of legal repercussions, social stigma, and the potential damage to the students' reputations, the scammers used high-pressure tactics to force compliance.
These incidents may result in significant financial losses, emotional trauma, and a profound loss of trust in communication channels and authorities. This underscores the urgent need for awareness, verification of authority, and prompt reporting of such scams to prevent further victimisation
Modus Operandi:
- Caller ID Spoofing: The scammer used a unknown number and spoofing techniques to mimic a legitimate law enforcement authority.
- Fear Induction: The fraudster played on the family's fear of social stigma, manipulating them into compliance through emotional blackmail.
Analysis:
Our research found that the unknown international numbers used in these scams are not real but are puppet numbers often used for prank calls and fraudulent activities. This incident also raises concerns about data breaches, as the scammers accurately recited students' details, including names and their parents' information, adding a layer of credibility and increasing the pressure on the victims. These incidents result in significant financial losses, emotional trauma, and a profound loss of trust in communication channels and authorities.
Impact on Victims:
- Financial and Psychological Losses: The family may face substantial financial losses, coupled with emotional and psychological distress.
- Loss of Trust in Authorities: Such scams undermine trust in official communication and law enforcement channels.
- Exploitation of Fear and Urgency: Scammers prey on emotions such as fear, urgency, and social stigma to manipulate victims.
- Sophisticated Impersonation Techniques: Using caller ID spoofing, Virtual/Temporary numbers and impersonation of Law Enforcement Officers adds credibility to the scam.
- Lack of Verification: Victims often do not verify the caller's identity, leading to successful scams.
- Significant Psychological Impact: Beyond financial losses, these scams cause lasting emotional trauma and distrust in institutions.
Recommendations:
- Cross-Verification: Always cross-verify with official sources before acting on such claims. Always contact official numbers listed on trusted Government websites to verify any claims made by callers posing as law enforcement.
- Promote Awareness: Educational institutions should conduct regular awareness programs to help students and families recognize and respond to scams.
- Encourage Prompt Reporting: Reporting such incidents to authorities can help track scammers and prevent future cases. Encourage victims to report incidents promptly to local authorities and cybercrime units.
- Enhance Public Awareness: Continuous public awareness campaigns are essential to educate people about the risks and signs of impersonation scams.
- Educational Outreach: Schools and colleges should include Cybersecurity awareness as part of their curriculum, focusing on identifying and responding to scams.
- Parental Guidance and Support: Parents should be encouraged to discuss online safety and scam tactics with their children regularly, fostering a vigilant mindset.
Conclusion:
The rise of impersonation scams targeting students and their families is a growing concern that demands immediate attention. By raising awareness, encouraging verification of claims, and promoting proactive reporting, we can protect vulnerable individuals from falling victim to these manipulative and harmful tactics. It is high time for the authorities, educational institutions, and the public to collaborate in combating these scams and safeguarding our communities. Strengthening data protection measures and enhancing public education on the importance of verifying claims can significantly reduce the impact of these fraudulent schemes and prevent further victimisation.
