#Fact Check: Old Photo Misused to Claim Israeli Helicopter Downed in Lebanon!
Executive Summary
A viral image claims that an Israeli helicopter shot down in South Lebanon. This investigation evaluates the possible authenticity of the picture, concluding that it was an old photograph, taken out of context for a more modern setting.
Claims
The viral image circulating online claims to depict an Israeli helicopter recently shot down in South Lebanon during the ongoing conflict between Israel and militant groups in the region.
Factcheck:
Upon Reverse Image Searching, we found a post from 2019 on Arab48.com with the exact viral picture.
Thus, reverse image searches led fact-checkers to the original source of the image, thus putting an end to the false claim.
There are no official reports from the main news agencies and the Israeli Defense Forces that confirm a helicopter shot down in southern Lebanon during the current hostilities.
Conclusion
Cyber Peace Research Team has concluded that the viral image claiming an Israeli helicopter shot down in South Lebanon is misleading and has no relevance to the ongoing news. It is an old photograph which has been widely shared using a different context, fueling the conflict. It is advised to verify claims from credible sources and not spread false narratives.
- Claim: Israeli helicopter recently shot down in South Lebanon
- Claimed On: Facebook
- Fact Check: Misleading, Original Image found by Google Reverse Image Search
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Introduction
With the ever-growing technology where cyber-crimes are increasing, a new cyber-attack is on the rise, but it’s not in your inbox or your computer- it's targeting your phone, especially your smartphone. Cybercriminals are expanding their reach in India, with a new text-messaging fraud targeting individuals. The Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In) has warned against "smishing," or SMS phishing.
Understanding Smishing
Smishing is a combination of the terms "SMS" and "phishing." It entails sending false text messages that appear to be from reputable sources such as banks, government organizations, or well-known companies. These communications frequently generate a feeling of urgency in their readers, prompting them to click on harmful links, expose personal information, or conduct financial transactions.
When hackers "phish," they send out phony emails in the hopes of tricking the receiver into clicking on a dangerous link. Smishing is just the use of text messaging rather than email. In essence, these hackers are out to steal your personal information to commit fraud or other cybercrimes. This generally entails stealing money – usually your own, but occasionally also the money of your firm.
The cybercriminals typically use these tactics to lure victims and steal the information.
Malware- The cyber crooks send the smishing URL link that might tick you into downloading malicious software on your phone itself. This SMS malware may appear as legitimate software, deceiving you into putting in sensitive information and transmitting it to crooks.
Malicious website- The URL in the smishing message may direct you to a bogus website that seeks sensitive personal information. Cybercriminals employ custom-made rogue sites meant to seem like legitimate ones, making it simpler to steal your information.
Smishing text messages often appear to be from your bank, asking you to share personal sensitive information, ATM numbers, or account details. Mobile device cybercrime is increasing, as is mobile device usage. Aside from the fact that texting is the most prevalent usage of cell phones, a few additional aspects make this an especially pernicious security issue. Let's go over how smishing attacks operate.
Modus Operandi
The cyber crooks commit the fraud via SMS. As attackers assume an identity that might be of someone trusted, Smishing attackers can use social engineering techniques to sway a victim's decision-making. Three things are causing this deception:
- Trust- Cyber crooks target individuals, by posing to someone from a legitimate individual and organization, this naturally lowers a person’s defense against threats.
- Context- Using a circumstance that might be relevant to targets helps an attacker to create an effective disguise. The message feels personalized, which helps it overcome any assumption that it is spam.
- Emotion- The nature of the SMS is critical; it makes the victim think that is urgent and requires rapid action. Using these tactics, attackers craft communications that compel the receiver to act.
- Typically, attackers want the victim to click on a URL link within the text message, which takes them to a phishing tool that asks them for sensitive information. This phishing tool is frequently in the form of a website or app that also assumes a phony identity.
How does Smishing Spread?
As we have revealed earlier smishing attacks are delivered through both traditional texts. However, SMS phishing attacks primarily appear to be from known sources People are less careful while they are on their phones. Many people believe that their cell phones are more secure than their desktops. However, smartphone security has limits and cannot always guard against smishing directly.
Considering the fact phones are the target While Android smartphones dominate the market and are a perfect target for malware text messages, iOS devices are as vulnerable. Although Apple's iOS mobile technology has a high reputation for security, no mobile operating system can protect you from phishing-style assaults on its own. A false feeling of security, regardless of platform, might leave users especially exposed.
Kinds of smishing attacks
Some common types of smishing attacks that occurred are;
- COVID-19 Smishing: The Better Business Bureau observed an increase in reports of US government impersonators sending text messages requesting consumers to take an obligatory COVID-19 test via a connected website in April 2020. The concept of these smishing assaults may readily develop, as feeding on pandemic concerns is a successful technique of victimizing the public.
- Gift Smishing: Give away, shopping rewards, or any number of other free offers, this kind of smishing includes free services or products, from a reputable or other company. attackers plan in such a way that the offer is for a limited time or is an exclusive offer and the offers are so lucrative that one gets excited and falls into the trap.
CERT Guidelines
CERT-In shared some steps to avoid falling victim to smishing.
- Never click on any suspicious link in SMS/social media charts or posts.
- Use online resources to validate shortened URLs.
- Always check the link before clicking.
- Use updated antivirus and antimalware tools.
- If you receive any suspicious message pretending to be from a bank or institution, immediately contact the bank or institution.
- Use a separate email account for personal online transactions.
- Enforce multi-factor authentication (MFA) for emails and bank accounts.
- Keep your operating system and software updated with the latest patches.
Conclusion
Smishing uses fraudulent mobile text messages to trick people into downloading malware, sharing sensitive data, or paying cybercriminals money. With the latest technological developments, it has become really important to stay vigilant in the digital era not only protecting your computers but safeguarding the devices that fit in the palm of your hand, CERT warning plays a vital role in this. Awareness and best practices play a pivotal role in safeguarding yourself from evolving threats.
Reference
- https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/government-warns-of-smishing-attacks-heres-how-to-stay-safe-4709458
- https://zeenews.india.com/technology/govt-warns-citizens-about-smishing-scam-how-to-protect-against-this-online-threat-2654285.html
- https://www.the420.in/protect-against-smishing-scams-cert-in-advice-online-safety/
Executive Summary
Amid rising petrol and diesel prices in India, an old video statement by Baba Ramdev is being widely shared on social media. In the viral clip, Ramdev can be heard saying that if the government permits him to open petrol pumps, he can provide petrol and diesel across the country at Rs 35-40 per litre. He is also heard suggesting that petrol and diesel should be brought under the lowest GST slab. However, CyberPeace Research Wing research found the viral claim to be misleading. The research revealed that Baba Ramdev made the statement during a private news channel event in 2018 and has not made any such recent remark.
Claim
A Facebook user named “Aman Singh Bathla” shared the old video of Baba Ramdev on May 26, 2026, and wrote:
“I can provide petrol and diesel to the entire country at Rs 35-40 if the Modi government allows me to open petrol pumps!”
- https://www.facebook.com/reel/2215528532606679
- https://www.facebook.com/reel/2215528532606679
- https://perma.cc/LA4L-3KCK
Fact Check
To verify the claim, we closely examined the viral video and noticed the logo of NDTV in the clip. Based on this clue, we searched NDTV’s official YouTube channel using relevant keywords and found the original video uploaded on September 16, 2018. In the full video, Baba Ramdev is seen making the viral statement during the NDTV Youth Conclave. During the discussion, the anchor had asked him a question regarding rising fuel prices, and Ramdev responded with the now-viral remarks in that context.
During further searches, we also found reports about the same statement on the website of Oneindia dated September 17, 2018. The report quoted Ramdev as saying that if the government allowed him to set up petrol pumps and offered some tax relief, he could provide fuel at Rs 35-40 per litre. He also suggested bringing petroleum products under GST, preferably in the 5 to 12 percent slab, to provide relief to consumers.
Our research confirmed that Baba Ramdev’s viral statement dates back to 2018 and has no connection with the recent rise in fuel prices.
Conclusion
The viral post was found to be misleading. Baba Ramdev made the statement in September 2018 during a private news channel event. His old remarks are now being circulated out of context to create confusion over the current fuel price situation.
Executive Summary:
A viral video claiming to show Israelis pleading with Iran to "stop the war" is not authentic. As per our research the footage is AI-generated, created using tools like Google’s Veo, and not evidence of a real protest. The video features unnatural visuals and errors typical of AI fabrication. It is part of a broader wave of misinformation surrounding the Israel-Iran conflict, where AI-generated content is widely used to manipulate public opinion. This incident underscores the growing challenge of distinguishing real events from digital fabrications in global conflicts and highlights the importance of media literacy and fact-checking.
Claim:
A X verified user with the handle "Iran, stop the war, we are sorry" posted a video featuring people holding placards and the Israeli flag. The caption suggests that Israeli citizens are calling for peace and expressing remorse, stating, "Stop the war with Iran! We apologize! The people of Israel want peace." The user further claims that Israel, having allegedly initiated the conflict by attacking Iran, is now seeking reconciliation.
Fact Check:
The bottom-right corner of the video displays a "VEO" watermark, suggesting it was generated using Google's AI tool, VEO 3. The video exhibits several noticeable inconsistencies such as robotic, unnatural speech, a lack of human gestures, and unclear text on the placards. Additionally, in one frame, a person wearing a blue T-shirt is seen holding nothing, while in the next frame, an Israeli flag suddenly appears in their hand, indicating possible AI-generated glitches.
We further analyzed the video using the AI detection tool HIVE Moderation, which revealed a 99% probability that the video was generated using artificial intelligence technology. To validate this finding, we examined a keyframe from the video separately, which showed an even higher likelihood of 99% probability of being AI generated. These results strongly indicate that the video is not authentic and was most likely created using advanced AI tools.
Conclusion:
The video is highly likely to be AI-generated, as indicated by the VEO watermark, visual inconsistencies, and a 99% probability from HIVE Moderation. This highlights the importance of verifying content before sharing, as misleading AI-generated media can easily spread false narratives.
- Claim: AI generated video of Israelis saying "Stop the War, Iran We are Sorry".
- Claimed On: Social Media
- Fact Check:AI Generated Mislead
