#FactCheck: False Claims of Fireworks in Dubai International Stadium celebrating India’s Champions Trophy Victory 2025

Executive Summary:

A viral social media claim suggested that India Post would discontinue all red post boxes across the country from 1 September 2025, attributing the move to the government’s Digital India initiative. However, fact-checking revealed this claim to be false. India Post’s official X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram handles clarified on 7 August 2025 that red letterboxes remain operational, calling them timeless symbols of connection and memories. No official notice or notification regarding their discontinuation exists on the Department of Posts’ website. This indicates the viral posts were misleading and aimed at creating confusion among the public.

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Claim:

A claim is circulating on social media stating that India Post will discontinue all red post boxes across the country effective 1 September 2025. According to the viral posts,[archived link] the move is being linked to the government’s push towards Digital India, suggesting that traditional post boxes have lost their relevance in the digital era.

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‍Fact Check:  

After conducting a reverse image analysis, we found that the official X handle of India Post, in a post dated 7 August 2025, clarified that the viral claim was incorrect and misleading. The post was shared with the caption:

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I’m still right here and always will be!"

India Post is evolving with the times, but some things will remain the same- always. We have carried love, news, and stories for generations... And guess what? Our red letterboxes are here to stay.

They are symbols of connection, memories, and moments that mattered. Then. Now. Always. 

Keep sending handwritten letters- we are here for you.

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This directly refutes the viral claim about the discontinuation of the red post box from 1 September 2025. A similar clarification was also posted on the official Instagram handle @indiapost_dop on the same date.

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Furthermore, after thoroughly reviewing the official website of the Department of Posts, Government of India, we found absolutely no trace, notice, or even the slightest mention of any plan to discontinue the iconic red post boxes. This complete absence of official communication strongly reinforces the fact that the viral claim is nothing more than a baseless and misleading rumour.

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Conclusion: 

The claim about the discontinuation of red post boxes from 1 September 2025 is false and misleading. India Post has officially confirmed that the iconic red letterboxes will continue to function as before and remain an integral part of India’s postal services.

• Claim: A viral claim suggests that India Post will remove all red letter boxes across the country beginning 1 September 2025.‍
• Claimed On: Social Media‍
• Fact Check: False and Misleading

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Introduction

The digital realm is evolving at a rapid pace, revolutionising cyberspace at a breakneck speed. However, this dynamic growth has left several operational and regulatory lacunae in the fabric of cyberspace, which are exploited by cybercriminals for their ulterior motives. One of the threats that emerged rapidly in 2024 is proxyjacking, in which vulnerable systems are exploited by cyber criminals to sell their bandwidth to third-party proxy servers. This cyber threat poses a significant threat to organisations and individual servers. 

Proxyjacking is a kind of cyber attack that leverages legit bandwidth sharing services such as Peer2Profit and HoneyGain. These are legitimate platforms but proxyjacking occurs when such services are exploited without user consent. These services provide the opportunity to monetize their surplus internet bandwidth by sharing with other users. The model itself is harmless but provides an avenue for numerous cyber hostilities.  The participants install net-sharing software and add the participating system to the proxy network, enabling users to route their traffic through the system. This setup intends to enhance privacy and provide access to geo-locked content. 

The Modus Operandi

These systems are hijacked by cybercriminals, who sell the bandwidth of infected devices. This is achieved by establishing Secure Shell (SSH) connections to vulnerable servers. While hackers rarely use honeypots to render elaborate scams, the technical possibility of them doing so cannot be discounted. Cowrie Honeypots, for instance, are engineered to emulate UNIX systems. Attackers can use similar tactics to gain unauthorized access to poorly secured systems. Once inside the system, attackers utilise legit tools such as public docker images to take over proxy monetization services. These tools are undetectable to anti-malware software due to being genuine software in and of themselves. Endpoint detection and response (EDR) tools also struggle with the same threats.

The Major Challenges 

Limitation Of Current Safeguards – current malware detection software is unable to distinguish between malicious and genuine use of bandwidth services, as the nature of the attack is not inherently malicious. 

Bigger Threat Than Crypto-Jacking – Proxyjacking poses a bigger threat than cryptojacking, where systems are compromised to mine crypto-currency. Proxyjacking uses minimal system resources rendering it more challenging to identify. As such, proxyjacking offers perpetrators a higher degree of stealth because it is a resource-light technique, whereas cryptojacking can leave CPU and GPU usage footprints.

Role of Technology in the Fight Against Proxyjacking

Advanced Safety Measures- Implementing advanced safety measures is crucial in combating proxyjacking. Network monitoring tools can help detect unusual traffic patterns indicative of proxyjacking. Key-based authentication for SSH can significantly reduce the risk of unauthorized access, ensuring that only trusted devices can establish connections. Intrusion Detection Systems and Intrusion Prevention Systems can go a long way towards monitoring unusual outbound traffic.

Robust Verification Processes- sharing services must adopt robust verification processes to ensure that only legitimate users are sharing bandwidth. This could include stricter identity verification methods and continuous monitoring of user activities to identify and block suspicious behaviour. 

Policy Recommendations

Verification for Bandwidth Sharing Services – Mandatory verification standards should be enforced for bandwidth-sharing services, including stringent Know Your Customer (KYC) protocols to verify the identity of users. A strong regulatory body would ensure proper compliance with verification standards and impose penalties. The transparency reports must document the user base, verification processes and incidents. 

Robust SSH Security Protocols – Key-based authentication for SSH across organisations should be mandated, to neutralize the risk of brute force attacks. Mandatory security audits of SSH configuration within organisations to ensure best practices are complied with and vulnerabilities are identified will help. Detailed logging of SSH attempts will streamline the process of identification and investigation of suspicious behaviour. 

Effective Anomaly Detection System – Design a standard anomaly detection system to monitor networks. The industry-wide detection system should focus on detecting inconsistencies in traffic patterns indicating proxy-jacking. Establishing mandatory protocols for incident reporting to centralised authority should be implemented. The system should incorporate machine learning in order to stay abreast with evolving attack methodologies.

Framework for Incident Response – A national framework should include guidelines for investigation, response and remediation to be followed by organisations. A centralized database can be used for logging and tracking all proxy hacking incidents, allowing for information sharing on a real-time basis. This mechanism will aid in identifying emerging trends and common attack vectors. 

Whistleblower Incentives – Enacting whistleblower protection laws will ensure the proper safety of individuals reporting proxyjacking activities. Monetary rewards provide extra incentives and motivate individuals to join whistleblowing programs. To provide further protection to whistleblowers, secure communication channels can be established which will ensure full anonymity to individuals. 

Conclusion

Proxyjacking represents an insidious and complicated threat in cyberspace. By exploiting legitimate bandwidth-sharing services, cybercriminals can profit while remaining entirely anonymous. Addressing this issue requires a multifaceted approach, including advanced anomaly detection systems, effective verification systems, and comprehensive incident response frameworks. These measures of strong cyber awareness among netizens will ensure a healthy and robust cyberspace. 

References 

• https://gridinsoft.com/blogs/what-is-proxyjacking/
• https://www.darkreading.com/cyber-risk/ssh-servers-hit-in-proxyjacking-cyberattacks
• https://therecord.media/hackers-use-log4j-in-proxyjacking-scheme

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Executive Summary:

A viral claim circulating on social media suggests that the Indian government is offering a 50% subsidy on tractor purchases under the so-called "Kisan Tractor Yojana." However, our research reveals that the website promoting this scheme, allegedly under the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, is misleading. This report aims to inform readers about the deceptive nature of this claim and emphasize the importance of safeguarding personal information against fraudulent schemes.

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Claim:

A website has been circulating misleading information, claiming that the Indian government is offering a 50% subsidy on tractor purchases under the so-called "Kisan Tractor Yojana." Additionally, a YouTube video promoting this scheme suggests that individuals can apply by submitting certain documents and paying a small, supposedly refundable application fee. 

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Fact Check: 

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Our research has confirmed that there is no scheme by the Government of India named 'PM Kisan Tractor Yojana.' The circulating announcement is false and appears to be an attempt to defraud farmers through fraudulent means.

While the government does provide various agricultural subsidies under recognized schemes such as the PM Kisan Samman Nidhi and the Sub-Mission on Agricultural Mechanization (SMAM), no such initiative under the name 'PM Kisan Tractor Yojana' exists. This misleading claim is, therefore, a phishing attempt aimed at deceiving farmers and unlawfully collecting their personal or financial information.

Farmers and stakeholders are advised to rely only on official government sources for scheme-related information and to exercise caution against such deceptive practices.

To assess the authenticity of the “PM Kisan Tractor Yojana” claim, we reviewed the websites farmertractoryojana.in and tractoryojana.in. Our analysis revealed several inconsistencies, indicating that these websites are fraudulent.

As part of our verification process, we evaluated tractoryojana.in using Scam Detector to determine its trustworthiness. The results showed a low trust score, raising concerns about its legitimacy. Similarly, we conducted the same check for farmertractoryojana.in, which also appeared untrustworthy and risky. The detailed results of these assessments are attached below.

Given that these websites falsely present themselves as government-backed initiatives, our findings strongly suggest that they are part of a fraudulent scheme designed to mislead and exploit individuals seeking genuine agricultural subsidies.

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During our research, we examined the "How it Works" section of the website, which outlines the application process for the alleged “PM Kisan Tractor Yojana.” Notably, applicants are required to pay a refundable application fee to proceed with their registration. It is important to emphasize that no legitimate government subsidy program requires applicants to pay a refundable application fee.

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Our research found that the address listed on the website, “69A, Hanuman Road, Vile Parle East, Mumbai 400057,” is not associated with any government office or agricultural subsidy program. This further confirms the website’s fraudulent nature. Farmers should verify subsidy programs through official government sources to avoid scams.

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A key inconsistency is the absence of a verified social media presence. Most legitimate government programs maintain official social media accounts for updates and communication. However, these websites fail to provide any such official handles, further casting doubt on their authenticity.

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Upon attempting to log in, both websites redirect to the same page, suggesting they may be operated by the same entity or individual. This further raises concerns about their legitimacy and reinforces the likelihood of fraudulent activity.

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Conclusion:

Our research confirms that the "PM Kisan Tractor Yojana" claim is fraudulent. No such government scheme exists, and the websites promoting it exhibit multiple red flags, including low trust scores, a misleading application process requiring a refundable fee, a false address, and the absence of an official social media presence. Additionally, both websites redirect to the same page, suggesting they are operated by the same entity. Farmers are advised to rely on official government sources to avoid falling victim to such scams.

• Claim: PM-Kisan Tractor Yojana Government Offering Subsidy on tractors.
• Claimed On: Social Media
• Fact Check:  False and Misleading 

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