#FactCheck -AI-generated video falsely shows a monk walking among lions in a forest
Research Wing
Innovation and Research
PUBLISHED ON
Jul 31, 2026
10
Executive Summary
A video is being widely shared on social media showing a monk walking through a dense forest, with several lions seen around him. Users sharing the video claim that the monk is fearlessly walking among lions. CyberPeace Research Wing’s research found that the viral claim is false. The research revealed that the video is not real and was created using artificial intelligence (AI).
Claim
An Instagram user shared the viral video on July 27, 2026, claiming that a video of a monk fearlessly walking among several lions in a forest is going viral on social media. The caption accompanying the post reads:
"A video of a baba fearlessly passing through several lions in the jungle is rapidly going viral on social media. After watching the video, people are linking it with faith, courage and divine power. However, the authenticity of the video and the circumstances shown in it have not been independently verified.
Therefore, before considering it a miracle, viewers should exercise caution and verify the source and facts before believing any viral video. What do you think—faith, courage or something else?"
The post link, archive link and screenshot are provided below:
To verify the claim, we conducted a keyword search on Google. During the search, we did not find any credible media reports confirming the viral claim. Upon closely examining the viral video, we suspected that it could have been created using AI. We then analysed the video using the AI detection tool Sightengine. According to the tool’s analysis, the video has a 99 per cent probability of being AI-generated.
In the next step of our research , we scanned the viral video using another AI detection tool, WasIt AI. The results indicated that the video was generated using artificial intelligence.
Finally, we analysed the video using the AI detection tool AI or Not, which also concluded that the viral video was created with the help of AI.
Conclusion
CyberPeace Research Wing’s research found that the viral claim is false. The video showing a monk walking among lions in a dense forest is not authentic but an AI-generated creation. The video is being shared with a misleading claim.
The Indian Ministry of Communications has come up with a feature known as "Quick SMS Header Information" to provide citizens with more control over their messaging services. This feature would help users access crucial information about the sender through text message, therefore making the details readily available at their fingertips.
The Quick SMS Header service is the key to providing users with the feature to ensure that they are receiving messages from the correct source. Users can instantly learn all the necessary data about the sender of a certain SMS. This data is invaluable for making the distinction between real messages and suspicious spam or phishing, so the user can have a higher level of defense against online threats and scam activities.
Importance of Checking the Header:
1. Authenticity Verification: SMS header data represents another way to confirm the sender. This feature keeps the end user from wrongly assuming that the SMS is from a trusted source or an unknown sender. Hence, the end user is able to make a choice about the authenticity of the message.
2. Mitigating Spam and Phishing: The rise of SMS and phishing scams has created some significant hurdles for users in the process of differentiating between real and fake messages. Through the Quick SMS Header Information service, people will be able to look up any suspicious messages in order to be able to take appropriate steps to prevent links that lead to malicious websites or requests for personal information.
3. Enhancing User Security: The SMS header information plays an important role in ensuring that the user is secure and has no privacy issues. The checking of the message headers will help us limit the possibilities of bad activities and reduce the chances of being a victim of cybercriminals.
4. Empowering Consumer Awareness: This feature is designed to encourage the people involved to take responsibility for the security of their devices and establish a safer and more dependable digital platform.
Benefits:
Enhanced Transparency: By giving access to the header information to the users, it is transparency that is promoted within the telecommunications ecosystem.
Empowered Decision-Making: Now that users have information about the SMS header, they can make informed decisions regarding their communications and privacy.
Efficient Resolution of Concerns: The Quick SMS Header Information serves the purpose of providing the needed resolution by telling us the message’s origin in cases where users come across any suspicious messages.
User-Friendly Interface: With its easy and clear process, this feature caters to users of all technical proficiency levels, ensuring accessibility for all.
Working:
1. Compose Your SMS: Write a message with the header you wish to find the information about. For example, if you want to know details about a header labeled "SBIINB," your SMS should be in the format "DETAILS OF SBIINB." Note, all letters are in capital only.
2. Send it to 1909: Once your message is ready, send it to: 1909. Please note, this may charge you depending upon your current plan.
3. Receive Response: The response to your SMS will be sent to you by the concerned telecommunication service provider or directly by 1909, a few seconds after you have sent your message. This response will have the data associated with the header above.
Another method to find SMS header information:
TRAI (Telecom Regulatory Authority of India) has made a tool on the webpage (https://smsheader.trai.gov.in/) to check for the SMS header associated with the message.
TRAI has also mandated header registration for messages pertaining to transactional or promotional purposes. This has helped people identify the SMS header by simply looking into the database as made by TRAI.
Steps:
1. Go to https://smsheader.trai.gov.in/. The page looks like as shown below:
2. Enter your Email, Name and complete the captcha under the Download/View Header Details and click on continue
3. Enter the OTP received on your email with the captcha and click on continue
4. Now enter your SMS header in the format of AA-AAAA, where “AA” is your prefix and “AAAA” is your header name. For example, we have taken “AX-HDFCBK” as our sample header, so “AX” is our prefix and “HDFCBK” is our header name.
5. As soon as we press enter, the site returns the query with the information of the header, as shown below
Conclusion:
The importance of checking SMS headers is something that simply cannot be overemphasized. This is the principal procedure for identifying incoming messages as authentic, and on that basis, the users are able to make informed choices about the messages they receive. It also contributes to the rise of user safety and privacy.
The development of more transparent controls and a stronger decision-making process will make it easier for users to handle their digital lives. The Quick SMS Header Information service is easy and convenient to use, as its interface is simple and understandable for users of all technical levels.
In addition to this, TRAI's attempt to make available an online tool for the maintenance of a comprehensive database of SMS headers strengthens its position towards ensuring security for its users in the telecommunications sector.
A photographer breaking down in tears in a viral photo is not connected to the Ram Mandir opening. Social media users are sharing a collage of images of the recently dedicated Lord Ram idol at the Ayodhya Ram Mandir, along with a claimed shot of the photographer crying at the sight of the deity. A Facebook post that posts this video says, "Even the cameraman couldn't stop his emotions." The CyberPeace Research team found that the event happened during the AFC Asian Cup football match in 2019. During a match between Iraq and Qatar, an Iraqi photographer started crying since Iraq had lost and was out of the competition.
Claims:
The photographer in the widely shared images broke down in tears at seeing the icon of Lord Ram during the Ayodhya Ram Mandir's consecration. The Collage was also shared by many users in other Social Media like X, Reddit, Facebook. An Facebook user shared and the Caption of the Post reads,
CyberPeace Research team reverse image searched the Photographer, and it landed to several memes from where the picture was taken, from there we landed to a Pinterest Post where it reads, “An Iraqi photographer as his team is knocked out of the Asian Cup of Nations”
Taking an indication from this we did some keyword search and tried to find the actual news behind this Image. We landed at the official Asian Cup X (formerly Twitter) handle where the image was shared 5 years ago on 24 Jan, 2019. The Post reads, “Passionate. Emotional moment for an Iraqi photographer during the Round of 16 clash against ! #AsianCup2019”
We are now confirmed about the News and the origin of this image. To be noted that while we were investigating the Fact Check we also found several other Misinformation news with the Same photographer image and different Post Captions which was all a Misinformation like this one.
Conclusion:
The recent Viral Image of the Photographer claiming to be associated with Ram Mandir Opening is Misleading, the Image of the Photographer was a 5 years old image where the Iraqi Photographer was seen Crying during the Asian Cup Football Competition but not of recent Ram Mandir Opening. Netizens are advised not to believe and share such misinformation posts around Social Media.
Claim: A person in the widely shared images broke down in tears at seeing the icon of Lord Ram during the Ayodhya Ram Mandir's consecration.
A video is being widely shared on social media showing armed personnel attacking a helicopter. The video is being circulated with the claim that Iranian soldiers shot down a US military helicopter near the Strait of Hormuz amid rising tensions between the United States and Iran. CyberPeace Research Wing research found the claim to be false. The viral video is AI-generated and is being shared with misleading context.
Claim:
An X (formerly Twitter) user shared the video on June 10, 2026, with the caption: “This is great cinema. Breaking News: Iran used a $150 weapon to bring down a $1 billion US military aircraft. For the first time, America has met its real enemy.”
To verify the claim, we conducted a keyword search on Google. However, no credible media reports were found supporting this claim.
On closely examining the video, we suspected it to be AI-generated. We then analyzed it using the AI detection tool HIVE MODERATION. The results indicated that the video is 98% likely to be AI-generated.
In the next step, we further analyzed the video using another AI detection tool, SIGHTENGINE. The results showed a 99% probability of the video being AI-generated.
Conclusion:
Our research confirms that the viral video is AI-generated and does not depict any real-world incident. The content is being circulated with a misleading and false narrative, falsely linking it to ongoing geopolitical tensions, despite there being no credible evidence or verified reports supporting such a claim.
Become a part of our vision to make the digital world safe for all!
Numerous avenues exist for individuals to unite with us and our collaborators in fostering global cyber security
Awareness
Stay Informed: Elevate Your Awareness with Our Latest Events and News Articles Promoting Cyber Peace and Security.
Your institution or organization can partner with us in any one of our initiatives or policy research activities and complement the region-specific resources and talent we need.