#FactCheck- Old Bangladesh Clip Misused as West Bengal Election Incident
Executive Summary
A video showing two men attempting to break into a house, only to be confronted by armed personnel who force them to kneel, is being widely shared on social media in the context of the upcoming West Bengal Assembly elections. The clip is being circulated with claims that it shows Central Reserve Police Force personnel intervening after workers of the Trinamool Congress allegedly tried to intimidate locals. However, an research by the CyberPeace Research Wing found that the claim is false. The viral video has no connection to India or the West Bengal elections and is being shared with a misleading narrative.
Claim
A Facebook user named Devashish Ajitkumar Bhattacharya shared the video on April 20, 2026, with the caption suggesting that TMC workers attempted to threaten people but were stopped by CRPF personnel deployed in West Bengal.
- Archive link: https://perma.cc/R42V-49FV
Fact Check
To verify the claim, we extracted keyframes from the viral video and conducted a reverse image search. This led us to the same video uploaded on August 17, 2024, on the official YouTube channel of Bangladeshi news outlet Dhaka Post. The details accompanying the video confirmed that the incident took place in Bangladesh.
Further research led us to a report published on August 17, 2024, by 24 Hours Khobor, which stated that the incident occurred in Faridpur, Bangladesh. According to the report, a clash broke out between two groups, following which the army intervened and arrested two individuals identified as Tutul Hossain and Dukhu Mia. Both were later sent to jail by a court.
Conclusion
The viral claim linking the video to the West Bengal Assembly elections is false. The footage does not show any incident involving CRPF personnel or political workers in India. Instead, it is from an unrelated घटना in Bangladesh that took place in 2024. The video has been taken out of context and is being circulated with a misleading narrative to create confusion around the ongoing election environment.
Related Blogs
A video circulating widely on social media shows a child throwing stones at a moving train, while a few other children can also be seen climbing onto the engine. The video is being shared with a communal narrative, with claims that the incident took place in India.
Cyber Peace Foundation’s research found the viral claim to be misleading. Our research revealed that the video is not from India, but from Bangladesh, and is being falsely linked to India on social media.
Claim:
On January 15, 2026, a Facebook user shared the viral video claiming it depicted an incident from India. The post carried a provocative caption stating, “We are not afraid of Pakistan outside our borders. We are afraid of the thousands of mini-Pakistans within India.” The post has been widely circulated, amplifying communal sentiments.
Fact Check:
To verify the authenticity of the video, we conducted a reverse image search using Google Lens by extracting keyframes from the viral clip. During this process, we found the same video uploaded on a Bangladeshi Facebook account named AL Amin Babukhali on December 28, 2025. The caption of the original post mentions Kamalapur, which is a well-known railway station in Bangladesh. This strongly indicates that the incident did not occur in India.
Further analysis of the video shows that the train engine carries the marking “BR”, along with text written in the Bengali language. “BR” stands for Bangladesh Railways, confirming the origin of the train. To corroborate this further, we searched for images related to Bangladesh Railways using Google’s open tools. We found multiple images on Getty Images showing train engines with the same design and markings as seen in the viral video. The visual match clearly establishes that the train belongs to Bangladesh Railways.
Conclusion
Our research confirms that the viral video is from Bangladesh, not India. It is being shared on social media with a false and misleading claim to give it a communal angle and link it to India.
Introduction
Since users are now constantly retrieving critical data on their mobile devices, fraudsters are now focusing on these devices. App-based, network-based, and device-based vulnerabilities are the three main ways of attacking that Mobile Endpoint Security names as mobile threats. Composed of the following features: program monitoring and risk, connection privacy and safety, psychological anomaly and reconfiguration recognition, and evaluation of vulnerabilities and management, this is how Gartner describes Mobile Threat Defense (MTD).
The widespread adoption and prevalence of cell phones among consumers worldwide have significantly increased in recent years. Users of these operating system-specific devices can install a wide range of software, or "apps," from online marketplaces like Google Play and the Apple App Store. The applications described above are the lifeblood of cell phones; they improve users' daily lives and augment the devices' performance. The app marketplaces let users quickly search for and install new programs, but certain malicious apps/links/websites can also be the origin of malware hidden among legitimate apps. These days, there are many different security issues and malevolent attacks that might affect mobile devices.
Unveiling Malware Landscape
The word "malware" refers to a comprehensive category of spyware intended to infiltrate networks, steal confidential data, cause disruptions, or grant illegal access. Malware can take many forms, such as Trojan horses, worms, ransomware, infections, spyware, and adware. Because each type has distinct goals and features, security specialists face a complex problem. Malware is a serious risk to both people and businesses. Security incidents, monetary losses, harm to one's credibility, and legal repercussions are possible outcomes. Understanding malware's inner workings is essential to defend against it effectively. Malware analysis is helpful in this situation. The practice of deconstructing and analysing dangerous software to comprehend its behaviour, operation, and consequences is known as malware analysis.Major threats targeting mobile phones
Viruses: Viruses are self-renewing programs that can steal data, launch denial of service assaults, or enact ransomware strikes. They spread by altering other software applications, adding malicious code, and running it on the target's device. Computer systems all over the world are still infected with viruses, which attack different operating systems like Mac and Microsoft Windows, even though there is a wealth of antiviral programs obtainable to mitigate their impacts.
Worms: Infections are independent apps that propagate quickly and carry out payloads—such as file deletion or the creation of botnets—to harm computers. Worms, in contrast to viruses, usually harm a computer system, even if it's just through bandwidth use. By taking advantage of holes in security or other vulnerabilities on the target computer, they spread throughout computer networks.
Ransomware: It causes serious commercial and organisational harm to people and businesses by encrypting data and demanding payment to unlock it. The daily operations of the victim organisation are somewhat disrupted, and they need to pay a ransom to get them back. It is not certain, though, that the financial transaction will be successful or that they will receive a working translation key.
Adware: It can be controlled via notification restrictions or ad-blockers, tracks user activities and delivers unsolicited advertisements. Adware poses concerns to users' privacy even though it's not always malevolent since the information it collects is frequently combined with information gathered from other places and used to build user profiles without their permission or knowledge.
Spyware: It can proliferate via malicious software or authentic software downloads, taking advantage of confidential data. This kind of spyware gathers data on users' actions without their authorisation or agreement, including:Internet activityBanking login credentialsPasswordsPersonally Identifiable Information (PII)
Navigating the Mobile Security Landscape
App-Centric Development: Regarding mobile security, app-centric protections are a crucial area of focus. Application authorisations should be regularly reviewed and adjusted to guarantee that applications only access the knowledge that is essential and to lower the probability of data misuse. Users can limit hazards and have greater oversight over their confidentiality by closely monitoring these settings. Installing trustworthy mobile security apps also adds another line of protection. With capabilities like app analysis, real-time protection, and antivirus scanning, these speciality apps strengthen your gadget's protection against malware and other harmful activity.
Network Security: Setting priorities for secure communication procedures is crucial for safeguarding confidential data and thwarting conceivable dangers in mobile security. Avoiding unprotected public Wi-Fi networks is essential since they may be vulnerable to cyberattacks. To lessen the chance of unwelcome entry and data surveillance, promote the usage of reliable, password-protected networks instead. Furthermore, by encrypting data transfer, Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) provide additional protection and make it more difficult for malevolent actors to corrupt information. To further improve security, avoid using public Wi-Fi for essential transactions and hold off until a secure network is available. Users can strengthen their handheld gadgets against possible privacy breaches by implementing these practices, which can dramatically lower the risk of data eavesdropping and illegal access.
Constant development: Maintaining a robust mobile security approach requires a dedication to constant development. Adopt a proactive stance by continuously improving and modifying your security protocols. By following up on recurring outreach and awareness campaigns, you can stay updated about new hazards. Because cybersecurity is a dynamic field, maintaining one step ahead and utilising emerging technologies is essential. Stay updated with security changes, implement the newest safeguards, and incorporate new industry standard procedures into your plan. This dedication to ongoing development creates a flexible barrier, strengthening your resistance to constantly evolving mobile security threats.
Threat emergency preparedness: To start, familiarise yourself with the ever-changing terrain associated with mobile dangers to security. Keep updated on new threats including malware, phishing, and illegal access.
Sturdy Device Management: Put in place a thorough approach to device management. This includes frequent upgrades, safe locking systems, and additional safeguarding capabilities like remote surveillance and erasing.
Customer Alertness: Emphasise proper online conduct and acquaint yourself and your team with potential hazards, such as phishing efforts.
Dynamic Measures for a Robust Wireless Safety Plan
In the dynamic field of mobile assurances, taking a proactive strategy is critical. To strengthen safeguards, thoroughly research common risks like malware, phishing, and illegal access. Establish a strong device management strategy that includes frequent upgrades, safe locking mechanisms, and remote monitoring and deletion capabilities for added security.
Promoting user awareness by educating people so they can identify and block any hazards, especially regarding phishing attempts. Reduce the dangers of data eavesdropping and illegal access by emphasising safe communication practices, using Virtual Private Networks (VPNs), and avoiding public Wi-Fi for essential transactions.
Pay close attention to app-centric integrity by periodically checking and modifying entitlements. Downloading trustworthy mobile security apps skilled at thwarting malware and other unwanted activity will enhance your smartphone's defenses. Lastly, create an atmosphere of continuous development by keeping up with new threats and utilising developing technology to make your handheld security plan more resilient overall.
Conclusion
Mobile privacy threats grow as portable electronics become increasingly integrated into daily activities. Effective defense requires knowledge of the various types of malware, such as worms, ransomware, adware, and spyware. Tools for Mobile Threat Defense, which prioritise vulnerability assessment, management, anomaly detection, connection privacy, and program monitoring, are essential. App-centric development, secure networking procedures, ongoing enhancement, threat readiness, strong device control, and user comprehension are all components of a complete mobile security strategy. People, as well as organisations, can strengthen their defenses against changing mobile security threats by implementing dynamic measures and maintaining vigilance, thereby guaranteeing safe and resilient mobile surrounding.
References
https://www.titanfile.com/blog/types-of-computer-malware/
https://www.simplilearn.com/what-is-a-trojan-malware-article
https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/latest-anti-analysis-tactics-guloader-malware-revealed-ukhxc/?trk=article-ssr-frontend-pulse_more-articles_related-content-card
The recent Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act, 2025, that came into force in August, has been one of the most widely anticipated regulations in the digital entertainment industry. Among provisions such as promoting esports and licensing of online gaming, the legislation notably introduces a blanket ban on real-money gaming (RMG). The rationale behind this was to reduce its addictive effects, protect minors, and limit the circulation of black-money. However, in reality, the Act has spawned apprehension about the legislative process, regulatory redundancy, and unintended consequences that can shift users and revenue to offshore operators.
From Debate to Prohibition: How the Act was Passed
The Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act was passed as a central law, providing the earlier fragmented state laws on online betting and gambling with an overarching framework. Proponents argue that, among other provisions, some kind of unified national framework was needed to deal with the scale of online betting due to its detrimental impact on young users. The current Act is a direct transition to criminalisation rather than the swings of self-regulation and partial restrictions used during the previous decade of incremental experiments in regulation. Stakeholders in the industry believe that this type of sudden, blanket action creates uncertainty and erodes confidence in the system in the long run. Further, critics have pointed out that the Bill was passed without adequate Parliamentary deliberation. A question has been raised about whether procedural safeguards were upheld.
Prohibition of Online RMG
Within the Indian context, a distinction has long been drawn between games of skill and games of chance, with the latter, like a lottery or a casino, being severely prohibited under state laws, whereas the former, like rummy or fantasy sports, have generally been allowed after being recognized as skill-based by court authorities. The Online Gaming Act of 2025 abolishes this distinction on the internet, thus banning all RMG actions that include cash transactions, regardless of skill or chance. The act also criminalises the advertising, facilitation, and hosting of such sites, thereby penalizing offshore operators with an Indian customer focus, and subjecting their payment gateways, app stores, and advertisers under its jurisdiction to penalties.
The Problem of Overlap
One potential issue that the Act presents is its overlap with the existing laws. The IT Rules 2023 mandate intermediaries in the gaming sector to appoint compliance officers, submit monthly reports, and undergo due diligence. The new Act introduces a three-level classification of games, whereas the advisories of the Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) under the Consumer Protection Act treat online betting as an unfair trade practice.
This multiplicity of regulations builds a maze where different Ministries and state governments have overlapping jurisdiction. Policy experts caution that such an overlap can create enforcement challenges, punish players who act within the law, and leave offshore malefactors undetected.
Unintended Consequences: Driving Users Offshore
Outright prohibition will hardly ever remove demand; it will only push it out. Offshore sites have taken advantage of the situation as Indian operators like Dream11 shut down their money games after the ban. It has already been reported that there is aggressive advertising by foreign betting companies that are not registered in India, most of which have backend infrastructure that cannot be regulated by the Act (Storyboard18).
This diversion of users to unregulated markets has two main risks. First, Indian players are deprived of the consumer protection offered to them in local regulation, and their data can be sent to suspicious foreign organizations. Second, the government loses control over the money flow that can be transferred via informal channels or cryptocurrencies or other obscure systems. Industry analysts are alerting that such developments may only worsen the issue of black-money instead of solving it (IGamingBusiness).
Advertising, Age Gating, and Digital Rights
The Act has also strengthened advertisement regulations, aligning with advisories issued by the Advertising Standards Council of India, which prohibits the targeting of minors. However, critics believe that the application remains inadequately enforced, and children can with comparative ease access unregulated overseas applications. In the absence of complementary digital literacy programs and strong parental controls, these limitations can be effectively superficial instead of real.
Privacy advocates also warn that frequent prompts, vague messages, or invasive surveillance can weaken the digital rights of users instead of strengthening them. Overregulation has also been found to create banner blindness in global contexts where users ignore warnings without first clearly understanding them.
Enforcement Challenges
The Act puts a lot of responsibilities on many stakeholders, including the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB) and the Reserve Bank of India (RBI). Platforms like Google Play and Apple App Store are expected to verify government-approved lists of compliant gaming apps and remove non-compliant or banned ones, as directed by the MIB and the RBI. Although this pressure may motivate intermediaries to collaborate, it may also have a risk of overreach when it is applied unequally or in a political way.
According to the experts, the solution should be underpinned by technology itself. Artificial intelligence can be used to identify illegal advertisements, track illegal gaming in children, and trace payment streams. At the same time, the regulators should be able to issue final lists of either compliant or non-compliant applications to advise the consumers and intermediaries alike. Without such practical provisions, enforcement risks remaining patchy.
Online Gaming Rules
On 1 October 2025, the government issued a draft of the Online Gaming Rules in accordance with the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act. The regulations focus on the creation of the compliance frameworks, define the classification of the allowed gaming activities, and prescribe grievance-redressal mechanisms aiming to promote the protection of the players and procedural transparency. However, the draft does not revisit or soften the existing blanket prohibition on real-money gaming (RMG) and, hence, the questions about the effectiveness of enforcement and regulatory clarity remain open (Times of India, 2025).
Protecting Consumers Without Stifling Innovation
The ban highlights a larger conflict, i.e., the protection of the vulnerable users without stifling an industry that has traditionally contributed to innovation, jobs, and the collection of tax revenue. Online gaming has significantly added to the GST collections, and the sudden shakeup brings fiscal concerns (Reuters).
Several legal objections to the Act have already been brought, asking whether the Act is constitutional, especially as to whether the restrictions are proportional to the right to trade. The outcome of such cases will define the future trajectory of the digital economy of India (Reuters).
Way Forward
Instead of outright prohibition, a more balanced approach that incorporates regulation and consumer protection is suggested by the experts. Key measures could include:
- A definite difference between games of skill and games of chance, with proportionate regulation.
- Age confirmation and campaign against online illiteracy to protect the underage population.
- Enhanced advertising and payments compliance requirements and enforceable non-compliance penalty.
- Coordinated oversight among different ministries to prevent duplication and regulatory struggle.
- Leveraging AI and fintech to track illegal financial activities (black money flows) and developing innovation.
Conclusion
The Online Gaming Act 2025 addresses social issues, such as addiction, monetary risk, and child safety, that require governance interventions. However, the path it follows to this end, that of total prohibition, is more likely to spawn a new set of issues instead of providing solutions because it will send consumers to offshore sites, undermine consumer rights, and slow innovation.
For India, the real challenge is not whether to prohibit online money gaming but how to create a balanced, transparent, and enforceable framework that protects users while fostering a responsible gaming ecosystem. India can reduce the adverse consequences of online betting without keeping the industry in the shadows with better coordination, reasonable use of technology, and balanced protection.
References:
- India's Dream11, top gaming apps halt money-based games after ban
- India online gambling ban could drive punters to black market
- Offshore betting firms with backend ops in India not covered by online gaming law
- The Great Gamble: India’s Online Gaming Ban, The GST Battle, And What Lies Ahead.
- Game Over for Online Money Games? An Analysis of the Online Gaming Act 2025
- Government gambles heavily on prohibiting online money gaming
- Online gaming regulation: New rules to take effect from October 1; government stresses consultative approach with industry
