#FactCheck-Viral Video Falsely Claims Australian Man Forced to Work at Brick Kiln in India
Executive Summery
A video is being widely shared on social media claiming that a man seen working at a brick kiln is an Australian citizen named “Anderson.” The claim states that he lost his passport and all his belongings after a theft in Agra, following which he was forced to work at a brick kiln for survival. Social media users are circulating the video as a shameful incident and are also appealing for the return of his stolen passport and belongings so that he can safely return to his country. CyberPeace Research Wing research found that the viral story is completely false and fabricated. For verification, we first conducted a keyword-based search on Google, but did not find any credible news report or media coverage supporting such an incident. Had this event been true, it would have certainly been reported by mainstream media outlets.
Claim
Facebook user ‘Yadav Roshni’ posted a video on June 23, 2026 (archive link) along with a caption claiming that an Australian tourist named “Anderson” visited Agra (Uttar Pradesh) to explore India’s culture and heritage, but was allegedly robbed during his visit. The post claims that thieves stole his passport, money, and all his belongings, leaving him helpless in a foreign country It further alleges that after losing everything, the tourist was forced to work as a labourer at a brick kiln to survive. The post describes the incident as shameful and appeals to users to widely share the video so that it reaches authorities, and requests that whoever stole his belongings return them so that he can safely return to his home country.
https://www.facebook.com/reel/1001213176107998 , https://perma.cc/MB8S-ZD24?type=standard
Fact Check
We then extracted keyframes from the viral video and performed a Google Lens search. This led us to an Instagram video posted by user sahildeshwal7500 on June 25, 2026. In this video, the person seen in the viral clip is identified as a resident of Katha village in Baghpat, Uttar Pradesh, named Sahil Deshwal. He himself clarifies in the video that the viral claim is false and that his footage was misused and shared with a fake narrative.
https://www.instagram.com/reels/DaAEB7wJkG-/
Further, another Instagram user dipendrakiduniya also posted clarification on June 25, 2026. In the video, the same individual and his brother clearly deny the “Anderson” identity claim and confirm that the viral story is completely false. They state that he is an Indian labourer working at a brick kiln in Baghpat.
https://www.instagram.com/reels/DaAZgXtjaYI/
Conclusion
The viral claim that an Australian citizen named Anderson lost his passport and belongings in Agra and was forced to work at a brick kiln is completely false. The person seen in the video is a resident of Baghpat, Uttar Pradesh. The story circulating on social media is fabricated and misleading.
Related Blogs
Executive Summary
Amid ongoing tensions in West Asia and concerns over the safety of commercial vessels carrying Indian crew members, a purported ABP News video clip has been circulating on social media. The clip, along with an accompanying image, claims that in response to alleged US attacks on ships carrying Indian citizens, the Indian government removed security arrangements outside the US Embassy in New Delhi and withdrew identity cards issued to American diplomats. The viral post also includes an image showing a JCB machine near the US Embassy, which users are sharing as alleged evidence of recent government action against the United States CyberPeace Research Wing research found the claim to be misleading. The probe revealed that both the video clip and the image are not recent and are in fact related to events from 2013, during the diplomatic tensions following the arrest of Indian diplomat Devyani Khobragade.
Claim:
On X (formerly Twitter), a user shared the viral clip alleging that India strongly condemned the US over reported attacks on a vessel carrying Indian citizens and, in response, removed security from the US Embassy in New Delhi and revoked identity cards issued to American diplomats.
https://x.com/aadil_husssain2/status/2065184188157043053
https://ghostarchive.org/archive/A5Py5
Fact Check
A keyword search related to the alleged removal of security outside the US Embassy did not yield any recent credible reports supporting the claim. We also observed that the ABP News logo visible in the viral clip is an older version that is no longer in use, raising further doubts about its authenticity and timeline. To verify the footage, we checked ABP News’ official YouTube channel and found a report dated December 17, 2013. The report stated that Delhi Police had removed security barricades outside the US Embassy in New Delhi following diplomatic tensions between India and the United States over the arrest and treatment of Indian diplomat Devyani Khobragade in New York. The visuals in the 2013 report closely match multiple segments seen in the viral clip. The footage originally aired as part of ABP News’ “Fatafat” bulletin.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qrm_UcL1zOk&t=139s
Further search also led to a PTI-reported article published by Times of India on December 17, 2013. According to the report, barricades outside the US Embassy were removed as part of India’s response to the Khobragade incident. The report also mentioned that India had sought the return of identity cards issued to American consular officials and rolled back certain diplomatic privileges.
The image being shared alongside the claim, showing a JCB machine near the US Embassy, is also old. Getty Images carries photographs dated December 17, 2013 showing barricades being removed outside the US Embassy in New Delhi during the same diplomatic episode.
Conclusion:
The research clearly establishes that both the viral video clip and the accompanying image are not recent. These visuals are from 2013 and are linked to diplomatic developments following the Devyani Khobragade case. The claim linking them to recent events involving US Embassy security arrangements is misleading.
Introduction
Considering the development of technology, Voice cloning schemes are one such issue that has recently come to light. Scammers are moving forward with AI, and their methods and plans for deceiving and scamming people have also altered. Deepfake technology creates realistic imitations of a person’s voice that can be used to conduct fraud, dupe a person into giving up crucial information, or even impersonate a person for illegal purposes. We will look at the dangers and risks associated with AI voice cloning frauds, how scammers operate and how one might protect themselves from one.
What is Deepfake?
Artificial intelligence (AI), known as “deepfake,” can produce fake or altered audio, video, and film that pass for the real thing. The words “deep learning” and “fake” are combined to get the name “deep fake”. Deepfake technology creates content with a realistic appearance or sound by analysing and synthesising diverse volumes of data using machine learning algorithms. Con artists employ technology to portray someone doing something that has never been in audio or visual form. The best example is the American President, who used deep voice impersonation technology. Deep voice impersonation technology can be used maliciously, such as in deep voice fraud or disseminating false information. As a result, there is growing concerned about the potential influence of deep fake technology on society and the need for effective tools to detect and mitigate the hazards it may provide.
What exactly are deepfake voice scams?
Artificial intelligence (AI) is sometimes utilised in deepfake speech frauds to create synthetic audio recordings that seem like real people. Con artists can impersonate someone else over the phone and pressure their victims into providing personal information or paying money by using contemporary technology. A con artist may pose as a bank employee, a government official, or a friend or relative by utilising a deep false voice. It aims to earn the victim’s trust and raise the likelihood that they will fall for the hoax by conveying a false sense of familiarity and urgency. Deep fake speech frauds are increasing in frequency as deep fake technology becomes more widely available, more sophisticated, and harder to detect. In order to avoid becoming a victim of such fraud, it is necessary to be aware of the risks and take appropriate measures.
Why do cybercriminals use AI voice deep fake?
In order to mislead users into providing private information, money, or system access, cybercriminals utilise artificial intelligence (AI) speech-deep spoofing technology to claim to be people or entities. Using AI voice-deep fake technology, cybercriminals can create audio recordings that mimic real people or entities, such as CEOs, government officials, or bank employees, and use them to trick victims into taking activities that are advantageous to the criminals. This can involve asking victims for money, disclosing login credentials, or revealing sensitive information. In phishing assaults, where fraudsters create audio recordings that impersonate genuine messages from organisations or people that victims trust, deepfake AI voice technology can also be employed. These audio recordings can trick people into downloading malware, clicking on dangerous links, or giving out personal information. Additionally, false audio evidence can be produced using AI voice-deep fake technology to support false claims or accusations. This is particularly risky regarding legal processes because falsified audio evidence may lead to wrongful convictions or acquittals. Artificial intelligence voice deep fake technology gives con artists a potent tool for tricking and controlling victims. Every organisation and the general population must be informed of this technology’s risk and adopt the appropriate safety measures.
How to spot voice deepfake and avoid them?
Deep fake technology has made it simpler for con artists to edit audio recordings and create phoney voices that exactly mimic real people. As a result, a brand-new scam called the “deep fake voice scam” has surfaced. In order to trick the victim into handing over money or private information, the con artist assumes another person’s identity and uses a fake voice. What are some ways to protect oneself from deepfake voice scams? Here are some guidelines to help you spot them and keep away from them:
- Steer clear of telemarketing calls
- One of the most common tactics used by deep fake voice con artists, who pretend to be bank personnel or government officials, is making unsolicited phone calls.
- Listen closely to the voice
- Anyone who phones you pretending to be someone else should pay special attention to their voice. Are there any peculiar pauses or inflexions in their speech? Something that doesn’t seem right can be a deep voice fraud.
- Verify the caller’s identity
- It’s crucial to verify the caller’s identity in order to avoid falling for a deep false voice scam. You might ask for their name, job title, and employer when in doubt. You can then do some research to be sure they are who they say they are.
- Never divulge confidential information
- No matter who calls, never give out personal information like your Aadhar, bank account information, or passwords over the phone. Any legitimate companies or organisations will never request personal or financial information over the phone; if they do, it’s a warning sign that they’re a scammer.
- Report any suspicious activities
- Inform the appropriate authorities if you think you’ve fallen victim to a deep voice fraud. This may include your bank, credit card company, local police station, or the nearest cyber cell. By reporting the fraud, you could prevent others from being a victim.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the field of AI voice deep fake technology is fast expanding and has huge potential for beneficial and detrimental effects. While deep fake voice technology has the potential to be used for good, such as improving speech recognition systems or making voice assistants sound more realistic, it may also be used for evil, such as deep fake voice frauds and impersonation to fabricate stories. Users must be aware of the hazard and take the necessary precautions to protect themselves as AI voice deep fake technology develops, making it harder to detect and prevent deep fake schemes. Additionally, it is necessary to conduct ongoing research and develop efficient techniques to identify and control the risks related to this technology. We must deploy AI appropriately and ethically to ensure that AI voice-deep fake technology benefits society rather than harming or deceiving it.
Reference
Executive Summary
A video allegedly showing Bollywood actor Shah Rukh Khan supporting and expressing his intention to join the so-called ‘Cockroach Janta Party’ (CJP) is being widely shared on social media.In the viral clip, Shah Rukh Khan can allegedly be heard saying:“Friends, the common people of this country are now fully awakened, and the storm of Cockroach Janta Party on social media has become so huge that its name is echoing everywhere… In just a few days, it has gained more than 15 million followers on Instagram… and honestly, I too will soon join the Cockroach Janta Party…”
However, CyberPeace Research Wing investigation found the claim to be false. The voice heard in the viral clip is AI-generated.
Claim
The viral video is being shared with the claim that actor Shah Rukh Khan publicly endorsed the ‘Cockroach Janta Party’ (CJP) and announced that he would soon join the movement.
- https://archive.is/wWueV
Fact Check
To verify the authenticity of the viral video, we first searched the internet using relevant keywords. However, we found no credible media reports, interviews, or posts from Shah Rukh Khan’s official social media accounts mentioning any support for the ‘Cockroach Janta Party’. Notably, if a major actor like Shah Rukh Khan had publicly supported any political or social media movement, it would have received widespread media coverage.
We then analysed key frames from the viral clip using Google Lens. During the investigation, we found an original video uploaded on September 10, 2023, on the YouTube channel of Sri Gokulam Movies. The footage was from the audio launch event of the film Jawan, where Shah Rukh Khan appeared in the same outfit seen in the viral clip.
वीडियो के डिस्क्रिप्शन में लिखा गया है, “शाहरुख़ In the original video, Shah Rukh Khan is seen speaking about the film, its cast, music, and his experience during the event. At no point does he mention the ‘Cockroach Janta Party’. The video description states that Shah Rukh Khan and the film’s team attended the audio launch event of Jawan in Chennai, where he praised music composer Anirudh Ravichander and thanked artists from the Tamil film industry. Additionally, the online trend related to the ‘Cockroach Janta Party’ emerged only in May 2026, whereas the original video is nearly three years old.
During the investigation, we also found several media reports covering the Jawan audio launch event, showing Shah Rukh Khan in the same attire as seen in the viral clip. For instance, a report published by Hindustan Times extensively covered the Chennai event, confirming that the viral footage was taken from the promotional event of the film.
To further examine the audio in the viral clip, we analysed it using the AI detection tool Resemble AI. The tool flagged the voice in the video as likely fake and AI-generated.
Conclusion
The investigation clearly shows that the claim about Shah Rukh Khan supporting or joining the ‘Cockroach Janta Party’ (CJP) is false. The viral video is actually from the 2023 audio launch event of the film Jawan, while the audio added to the clip has been generated using AI.
