#FactCheck-Deepfake Video Falsely Shows DRDO Chief Claiming ‘Agni-6 Was Washed with Cow Urine’

Introduction

Cyber slavery has emerged as a serious menace. Offenders target innocent individuals, luring them with false promises of employment, only to capture them and subject them to horrific torture and forced labour. According to reports, hundreds of Indians have been imprisoned in 'Cyber Slavery' in certain Southeast Asian countries. Indians who have travelled to South Asian nations such as Cambodia in the hopes of finding work and establishing themselves have fallen victim to the illusion of internet slavery. According to reports, 30,000 Indians who travelled to this region on tourist visas between 2022 and 2024 did not return. India Today’s coverage demonstrated how survivors of cyber slavery who have somehow escaped and returned to India have talked about the terrifying experiences they had while being coerced into engaging in cyber slavery.

Tricked by a Job Offer, Trapped in Cyber Slavery

India Today aired testimonials of cyber slavery victims who described how they were trapped. One individual shared that he had applied for a well-paying job as an electrician in Cambodia through an agent in Delhi. However, upon arriving in Cambodia, he was offered a job with a Chinese company where he was forced to participate in cyber scam operations and online fraudulent activities.

He revealed that a personal system and mobile phone were provided, and they were compelled to cheat Indian individuals using these devices and commit cyber fraud. They were forced to work 12-hour shifts. After working there for several months, he repeatedly requested his agent to help him escape. In response, the Chinese group violently loaded him into a truck, assaulted him, and left him for dead on the side of the road. Despite this, he managed to survive. He contacted locals and eventually got in touch with his brother in India, and somehow, he managed to return home.

This case highlights how cyber-criminal groups deceive innocent individuals with the false promise of employment and then coerce them into committing cyber fraud against their own country. According to the Ministry of Home Affairs' Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Center (I4C), there has been a significant rise in cybercrimes targeting Indians, with approximately 45% of these cases originating from Southeast Asia.

CyberPeace Recommendations

Cyber slavery has developed as a serious problem, beginning with digital deception and progressing to physical torture and violent actions to commit fraudulent online acts. It is a serious issue that also violates human rights. The government has already taken note of the situation, and the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C) is taking proactive steps to address it. It is important for netizens to exercise due care and caution, as awareness is the first line of defence. By remaining vigilant, they can oppose and detect the digital deceit of phony job opportunities in foreign nations and the manipulative techniques of scammers. Netizens can protect themselves from significant threats that could harm their lives by staying watchful and double-checking information from reliable sources.

References

1. CyberPeace Highlights Cyber Slavery: A Serious Concern https://www.cyberpeace.org/resources/blogs/cyber-slavery-a-serious-concern
2. https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/india-today-operation-cyber-slaves-stories-of-golden-triangle-network-of-fake-job-offers-2642498-2024-11-29
3. https://www.indiatoday.in/india/video/cyber-slavery-survivors-narrate-harrowing-accounts-of-torture-2642540-2024-11-29?utm_source=washare

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Introduction

Attacks by cybercriminals targeting national critical infrastructure are increasing at an unsettling rate. Such attacks have the potential to do severe damage by upsetting transportation networks, utilities, financial services, and other vital infrastructure. The physical and digital systems that underpin a nation's economy are known as critical infrastructure thus if they were to be disrupted, there would be serious risks to the economy and public health and safety. Establishing proper cybersecurity measures and protecting those digital systems from possible threats or cyberattacks is necessary. Both public and private sector assets are included in these essential infrastructure categories.

Nationwide alert:

Recently one of the biggest hacker organizations has warned of an upcoming cyberattack on the critical infrastructure and websites in India, causing a countrywide alert. A gang of hackers from Indonesia and Pakistan, celebrating 4,000 members, announced a planned “Cyber Party” on 11 December 2023. The event’s claimed goal is to compromise and disrupt India's digital infrastructure. They disclosed this information on their Telegram channel.

This hacker organization holds a record of launching extensive cyberattacks; in the past, it sent out a "red notice" that was intended to target 12,000 websites run by the Indian government. They have previously attacked other nations, such as Israel, Sweden, and the United States. Their reasons are varied and might include anything from assaults on certain groups to religious disagreements.

The gang has also been acclaimed for hacking into a New York City police agency, obtaining health and social media data from Israel, and exposing information from Swedish social media users. These alarming events show how urgently strong and all-encompassing cybersecurity measures are needed, not only in India but throughout the world.

Effect(s) on India

1.  Central Agencies Are Alert, Expect Health Sector Attacks: The cyberinfrastructure of the health sector has been a common target of assaults, particularly in the aftermath of the COVID-19 epidemic, which has authorities particularly concerned. Relevant ministries have received notifications from central authorities advising them to take precautions against unwanted access. The security of digital infrastructure is seriously challenged by the constantly changing panorama of cyber-attacks, according to those who are aware of the warning and threat.

2. National security concerns: Because of the interconnectedness of critical national infrastructure, a cyberattack may have an impact on national security. Attacks against defense networks, intelligence organizations health infrastructure, or military systems, for instance, might make it more difficult for the nation to respond to threats from outside.

3.    Concerns for Public Safety and Health: Cyberattacks on healthcare systems run the risk of compromising patient data, stopping medical procedures, and even endangering the general public's health. This might have potentially fatal results in urgent circumstances.

4.  Data Breach and Privacy Issues: Stealing confidential data is a common component of cybersecurity assaults. A breach of critical infrastructure systems might result in sensitive data, including personal information, being misused and accessed without authorization, raising privacy issues.

Preventive and protective measures

1.    The plan for responding to incidents: Make sure a clear incident response strategy is in place, with a focus on healthcare systems, and that it is especially designed to handle cyber-attacks on critical infrastructure.

2.  Better Tracking: Observing vital networks, systems, and data flows more closely, especially in the healthcare industry. Using cutting-edge threat detection technologies to spot odd or questionable activity.

3.   Critical System Isolation: Cutting off vital healthcare systems from the wider network to reduce the chance of attackers moving laterally.

4.   Continual Backups: Make sure that backup copies of important data and systems are kept in a safe, isolated location by regularly backing them up. In the event of a ransomware attack or data breach, this makes recovery easier.

5.    Update and patch systems: Make sure that all operating systems and apps utilized in the infrastructure of the healthcare industry are updated with the most recent security updates.

6. Protocols for Communication: In the case of a cyber-incident, establishing explicit communication mechanisms to guarantee that pertinent parties are notified as soon as possible. This covers correspondence with law enforcement, the public, and other members of the healthcare industry as needed.

Conclusion

Urgent preventative actions are essential in response to an impending cyber threat revealed by a large hacker organization that is targeting India's key infrastructure, specifically the healthcare sector. The interconnectedness of this infrastructure puts public safety, privacy, and national security in danger. A crucial defensive approach is formed by the proactive measures mentioned, which include communication protocols, system isolation, improved monitoring, incident response preparation, and frequent backups. The dangers underline the necessity of international collaboration in tackling cybersecurity issues and the requirement for shared responsibility of everyone to safeguard digital networks. To reduce risks and guarantee the resilience of vital national infrastructure in the face of changing cyber threats, authorities must continue to develop and adapt their cybersecurity tactics.

References:

• https://www.cnbctv18.com/technology/exclusive--nationwide-alert-sounded-as-hacker-group-plans-cyber-party-to-attack-indias-critical-digital-infra-18520021.htm
• https://www.the420.in/ndian-authorities-high-alert-hacker-groups-threaten-cyber-assault/
• https://www.cnbctv18.com/technology/exclusive--nationwide-alert-sounded-as-hacker-group-plans-cyber-party-to-attack-indias-critical-digital-infra-18520021.htm#:~:text=By%20News18.com%20Dec%208,%3A58%20AM%20IST%20(Published)&text=A%20nationwide%20alert%20has%20been,Indian%20websites%20and%20critical%20infrastructure
• https://verveindustrial.com/resources/blog/critical-infrastructure-cyber-security/

An image showing a damaged statue of Mahatma Gandhi, broken into two pieces, is being widely shared on social media. The image shows Gandhi’s statue with its head separated from the body, prompting strong reactions online.

Social media users are claiming that the incident occurred in Bangladesh, alleging that Mahatma Gandhi’s statue was deliberately vandalised there. The image is being described as a recent incident and is being circulated across platforms with provocative and inflammatory captions.

Cyber Peace Foundation’s research and verification found that the claim being shared online is misleading. Our rsearch revealed that the viral image is not from Bangladesh. The image is actually from Chakulia in Uttar Dinajpur district of West Bengal, India

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Claim:

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Social media users claim that Mahatma Gandhi’s statue was vandalised in Bangladesh, and that the viral image shows a recent incident from the country.One Facebook user shared the video on 19 January 2026, making derogatory remarks and falsely linking the incident to Bangladesh. The post has since been widely shared on social media platforms. (Archived links and screenshots are available.)

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• https://www.facebook.com/reel/1360790046063047 
• https://archive.ph/LwvSq 

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Fact Check:

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Our research revealed that the viral image is not from Bangladesh. The image is actually from Chakulia in Uttar Dinajpur district of West Bengal, India. To verify the claim, we conducted a reverse image search using Google Lens on key frames from the viral video. This led us to a report published by ABP Live Bangla on 16 January 2026, which featured the same visuals. Link and screenshot

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• https://bengali.abplive.com/district/sir-hearing-protest-mahatma-gandhi-idol-vandalized-bdo-office-ransacked-1164870#google_vignette 

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According to ABP Live Bangla, the statue of Mahatma Gandhi was damaged during a protest in Chakulia. The statue’s head was found separated from the body. While a portion of the broken statue remained at the site on Thursday night, it was reported missing by Friday morning. The report further stated that extensive damage was observed at BDO Office No. 2 in Golpokhar. Gandhi’s statue, located at the entrance of the administrative building, was found broken, and ashes were discovered near the premises. Government staff were seen clearing scattered debris from the site.

The incident reportedly occurred during a SIR (Special Intensive Revision) hearing at the BDO office, which was disrupted due to vandalism. In connection with the violence and damage to government property, 21 people have been arrested so far. In the next stage of verification, we found the same footage in a 16 January 2026 report by local Bengali news channel K TV, which also showed clear visuals of the damaged Mahatma Gandhi statue. Link and screenshot.

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• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yW_IJhM6Uhc 

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Conclusion:

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The viral image of Mahatma Gandhi’s broken statue does not depict an incident from Bangladesh. The image is from Chakulia in West Bengal’s Uttar Dinajpur district, where the statue was damaged during a protest.

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