#FactCheck-AI-Generated Video Falsely Shared as Attack on Iran’s South Pars Gas Field

Executive Summary

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A CCTV video showing a powerful blast on a street lined with houses is going viral on social media. The video is being shared with the claim that it shows a bomb being tested. The posts also claim that the blast took place at the home of a ‘renowned madrasa scientist’ named Abdul Ghaffar and that his entire family was killed during the alleged bomb test. Research by the CyberPeace Research Wing found that the claim is false. The blast took place in Dharwad, Karnataka, on August 25 due to an LPG cylinder leak.

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Claim

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The video was shared on Facebook with the caption: “Setback for Modi’s ‘Make in India’ campaign: Renowned Madrasa scientist ‘Abdul Ghaffar’ has passed away along with his entire family. The incident occurred during a bomb test at home.”

https://www.facebook.com/reel/1439446978053404 

https://archive.ph/ 

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Fact Check

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To verify the truth behind the viral claim, we conducted a Google search using relevant keywords. We did not find any news reports about a ‘madrasa teacher Abdul Ghaffar’ who died along with his family due to a bomb test at home. We also conducted a reverse image search of keyframes from the viral video. During the search, we found the same video shared on Instagram on August 28. The caption read, “A domestic LPG cylinder exploded inside a house in Dharwad, Karnataka, triggering panic in the area. The blast was so powerful that the gas cylinder was reportedly hurled out of the house at high speed.”

https://www.instagram.com/p/Dck0dlQRzMy/c/18102766577220962/

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We also found the video shared on Reuters Connect, a media licensing platform. According to Reuters’ description, the incident shown in the video took place on August 25, when an LPG cylinder exploded due to a gas leak.

https://www.reutersconnect.com/item/india-massive-lpg-cylinder-explosion-in-karnataka-cylinder-thrown-meters-away-from-house/dGFnOnJldXRlcnMuY29tLDIwMjY6bmV3c21sX09XU0hCQzExODAzNDc

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Karnataka-based website Navasamaja published a report on August 26, using a screenshot from the viral video as the cover image. According to the report, the incident took place in Jannat Nagar, Dharwad. The report states, “A young man named Rajasabh Neeralakatti was fast asleep at home when the incident occurred. The sudden blast left the young man severely burned and injured several parts of his body.”

https://navasamaja.com/cylinder-blast-in-dharwad-while-sleeping-see-cctv-footage-of-scattered-objects/ 

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Conclusion

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Our research found that the viral claim is false. The video does not show a bomb test at the home of a ‘renowned madrasa scientist’ Abdul Ghaffar or the death of his family. The viral footage actually shows an LPG cylinder explosion that took place on August 25 in Jannat Nagar, Dharwad, Karnataka, following a gas leak. Reports about the incident, along with the original video, confirm that the blast was caused by an LPG cylinder and was unrelated to any bomb testing. Therefore, the viral video is being shared with a false and misleading claim.

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Introduction

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Raksha Bandhan is a cherished festival which is celebrated every year on the full moon day of the Hindu month of Shravan. It is a festival that represents the love, care, and protection that siblings share. This year, Raksha Bandhan falls on 09th August 2025. On this day, sisters tie a sacred thread known as Rakhi on their brothers' wrists as a symbol of love and protection, and in return, brothers promise to safeguard them in all walks of life. The origin of this festival traces back to the Mahabharata, when lord Krishna injured his finger. To bandage the wound, Draupadi, also known as Panchali, tore a piece of her saree and tied it on Krishna's finger. Krishna was touched by her selfless gesture and promised to always protect her, a promise he fulfilled during Drapadi’s time of greatest need. 

Today, in the evolving world driven by technology in all aspects of life, the nature of threats has evolved. In this digital age, physical safety alone is no longer enough. Alongside the traditional vow, there is now a growing need for another promise, the promise of Cyber Raksha (Cyber Safety). As we celebrate the spirit of Raksha Bandhan, this year also take the pledge of offering and taking care of the Cyber Suraksha of your sibling. 

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Ek Vaada Cyber Raksha ka 

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All the brothers and sisters share the bond of mutual care and responsibility. In the evolving threats of cybercrimes, they must understand the vulnerabilities they might face and the cyber safety tips they should be aware of to protect themselves. You must promise to guide, protect each other from online dangers, and help understand the importance of digital safety.  Hence, this Raksha Bandhan, let’s also tie a knot of cyber awareness, responsibility, and digital protection,  because true raksha in today’s age is not only about protection in the offline world, it is about protection in both the offline and online world. 

CyberPeace has curated the following best practices for you to consider in your life and also to share with your sisters and brothers.

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Password Security

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‍It is most important to realise that cybercrooks mostly have their eyes on your passwords to target and gain access to your accounts or information. Scammers try multiple ways to get access to your passwords by way of various methods such as OTP frauds, Fake login pages (spoofing), Social engineering, Credential stuffing, Brute-force attacks, phishing, etc. 

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Quick Tips 

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• Use strong passwords.
• Regularly update passwords.
• Use separate passwords for different accounts.
• Use secure & trusted password managers.
• Use two-factor authentication for an extra layer of security.
• Make sure not to save passwords on random devices.

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Social Media Security

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‍There are endless cyber scams that take place through social media, such as identity theft, cyberbullying, cyber stalking, online harassment, data leaks, suspicious links leading to phishing and malware, exposure to inappropriate content, etc. It becomes important for netizens to protect their accounts, data, and online presence on social media platforms from the growing cyber threats.

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Quick Tips

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• Review app permissions and do not give any unnecessary app permissions.
• Keep your account private or customise your privacy settings as per your needs.
• Be cautious while interacting with strangers.
• Do not click on any suspicious or unknown links.
• Make sure to log out in case you have to log in to your social media on an unfamiliar device, and update your password to prevent unauthorised access.
• Always use Two-Factor authentication for your social media accounts.
• Avoid sharing too much of your personal information on the public story or public posts. This can be used by cybercriminals for social engineering.
• Use the report & block function to protect yourself from spam accounts and unwanted interactions.
• If you encounter any issue, report it to the ‘Platform’s reporting mechanism at the ‘Help Centre’.
• One can also reach out to the platform’s grievance officer.

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Device Security

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In today’s world, the interconnectedness is unavoidable, your devices, be it smartphones, tablets, laptops are not just tools, they are digital extensions of yourself. They contain your discussions, recollections, private information, and frequently your financial and professional information. Safeguarding your devices in the digital world can be equated with safeguarding your physical possessions against undesirable encroachments. Just like a sibling would never let anyone invade your privacy, you too must promise to keep your devices secured against malicious threats like malware, spyware, ransomware, and unauthorized access.

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Quick Tips

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• Update your apps, browsers, and operating systems frequently; these updates frequently contain security vulnerabilities.
• Install reliable anti-virus and anti-malware software, then perform routine device scans.
• Do not download files or apps from unidentified sources.
• Avoid using open or unprotected public Wi-Fi for private activities like email or banking. 
• Employ screen locks (passwords, biometrics, or PINs) to stop unwanted physical access.
• Enable remote wipe or ‘find my Device’ functions in case your device is lost or stolen.

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Digital Payments Security

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‍Rakshabandhan is all about giving, but let’s not make it easy for cyber fraudsters to take! Convenience can come at a great cost. It often comes with a danger of fraud, phishing, and money-stealing schemes, as evidenced by the rise in digital payments and UPI transactions. But by being cautious, one can avoid being defrauded.  Whether you’re gifting a sibling online or shopping for festive deals, promise yourself and your loved ones that you’ll transact wisely and safely.

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Quick Tips

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• Never give out your bank credentials, CVV, OTP, or UPI PIN to anyone, even if they seem trustworthy before extensively verifying their credentials.
• Before completing a transaction, confirm the account information or UPI ID.
• Refund or payment links sent by WhatsApp accounts or unknown numbers should not be clicked. 
• Use only trusted apps (like BHIM, PhonePe, Google Pay, etc.) downloaded from official app stores.

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Email Security

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Your email serves as a key to your digital kingdom and serves as more than just a tool for communication. Your email frequently connects everything, from banking to social networking. Scammers use phishing assaults, malware attachments, and impersonation frauds to target it first.  Just like a sibling watches your back, watch your inbox. Make a vow not to fall for the digital bait.

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Quick tips

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• Never open attachments or links in emails that seem strange or suspicious.
• Subject lines that evoke fear, such as “Account Suspended,” “Urgent Action Required” should be avoided. 
• Verify the sender’s email address at all times because scammers frequently use little misspellings to deceive you.
• Set up two-factor authentication and create a secure, one of a kind password for your email accounts.
• Avoid using unprotected Wi-Fi networks or public computers to check your email.
• Avoid responding to spam emails or unsubscribing through dubious links as this could give the attacker your address. 

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Common scams to watch out for

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Festive deals scams

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As the festive season sales surge in India, so does the risk of cyber scams. Cyber crooks exploit the victims and urge them to share OTPs under the guise of preventing fraudulent activity, sharing malicious links to get sensitive information. 

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Mis-disinformation 

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The spread of mis-disinformation has surged on social media platforms. It spreads like wildfire across the digital landscape, and the need for effective strategies to counteract these challenges has grown exponentially in a very short period. ‘Prebunking’ and ‘Debunking’ are two approaches for countering the growing spread of misinformation online.

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Deepfake and Voice cloning scams

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By using the Deepfake technology, cybercriminals manipulate audio and video content which looks very realistic but, in actuality, is fake. Voice cloning is also a part of deepfake. To create a voice clone of anyone's, audio can be deepfaked too, which closely resembles a real one but, in actuality, is a fake voice created through deepfake technology. 

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Juice Jacking

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Cybercriminals can hack your phone using or exploiting some public charging stations, such as at airports, Malls, hotel rooms, etc. When you plug your cell phone into a USB  power charger, you may be plugging into a hacker. Juice jacking poses a security threat commonly at places that provide free charging stations for mobile devices. 

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Suspicious links & downloads

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Suspicious links & downloads can lead you to a phishing site or install malware into your system, which can even lead to compromise your device, expose sensitive data, and cause financial losses.

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Conclusion

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This Rakhi, ensure your and your sibling’s online safety and security by being cybersafe and smart. You can seek assistance from the CyberPeace Helpline at helpline@cyberpeace.net

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Introduction

Digitalisation presents both opportunities and challenges for micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in emerging markets. Digital tools can increase business efficiency and reach but also increase exposure to misinformation, fraud, and cyber attacks. Such cyber threats can lead to financial losses, reputational damage, loss of customer trust, and other challenges hindering MSMEs' ability and desire to participate in the digital economy.

The current information dump is a major component of misinformation. Misinformation spreads or emerges from online sources, causing controversy and confusion in various fields including politics, science, medicine, and business. One obvious adverse effect of misinformation is that MSMEs might lose trust in the digital market. Misinformation can even result in the devaluation of a product, sow mistrust among customers, and negatively impact the companies’ revenue. The reach of and speed with which misinformation can spread and ruin companies’ brands, as well as the overall difficulty businesses face in seeking recourse, may discourage MSMEs from fully embracing the digital ecosystem. 

MSMEs are essential for innovation, job development, and economic growth. They contribute considerably to the GDP and account for a sizable share of enterprises. They serve as engines of economic resilience in many nations, including India. Hence, a developing economy’s prosperity and sustainability depend on the MSMEs' growth and such digital threats might hinder this process of growth. 

There are widespread incidents of misinformation on social media, and these affect brand and product promotion. MSMEs also rely on online platforms for business activities, and threats such as misinformation and other digital risks can result in reputational damage and financial losses. A company's reputation being tarnished due to inaccurate information or a product or service being incorrectly represented are just some examples and these incidents can cause MSMSs to lose clients and revenue.

In the digital era, MSMEs need to be vigilant against false information in order to preserve their brand name, clientele, and financial standing. In the interconnected world of today, these organisations must develop digital literacy and resistance against misinformation in order to succeed in the long run. Information resilience is crucial for protecting and preserving their reputation in the online market.

The Impact of Misinformation on MSMEs

Misinformation can have serious financial repercussions, such as lost sales, higher expenses, legal fees, harm to the company's reputation, diminished consumer trust, bad press, and a long-lasting unfavourable impact on image. A company's products may lose value as a result of rumours, which might affect both sales and client loyalty. 

Inaccurate information can also result in operational mistakes, which can interrupt regular corporate operations and cost the enterprise a lot of money. When inaccurate information on a product's safety causes demand to decline and stockpiling problems to rise, supply chain disruptions may occur. Misinformation can also lead to operational and reputational issues, which can cause psychological stress and anxiety at work. The peace of the workplace and general productivity may suffer as a result. For MSMEs, false information has serious repercussions that impact their capacity to operate profitably, retain employees, and maintain a sustainable business. Companies need to make investments in cybersecurity defence, legal costs, and restoring consumer confidence and brand image in order to lessen the effects of false information and ensure smooth operations.

When we refer to the financial implications caused by misinformation spread in the market, be it about the product or the enterprise, the cost is two-fold in all scenarios: there is loss of revenue and then the organisation has to contend with the costs of countering the impact of the misinformation. Stock Price Volatility is one financial consequence for publicly-traded MSMEs, as misinformation can cause stock price fluctuations. Potential investors might be discouraged due to false negative information.

Further, the reputational damage consequences of misinformation on MSMEs is also a serious concern as a loss of their reputation can have long-term damages for a carefully-cultivated brand image. 

There are also operational disruptions caused by misinformation: for instance, false product recalls can take place and supplier mistrust or false claims about supplier reliability can disrupt procurement leading to disruptions in the operations of MSMEs. 

Misinformation can negatively impact employee morale and productivity due to its physiological effects. This leads to psychological stress and workplace tensions. Staff confidence is also affected due to the misinformation about the brand. Internal operational stability is a core component of any organisation’s success. 

Misinformation: Key Risk Areas for MSMEs

1. Product and Service Misinformation

For MSMEs, misinformation about products and services poses a serious danger since it undermines their credibility and the confidence clients place in the enterprise and its products or services. Because this misleading material might mix in with everyday activities and newsfeeds, viewers may find it challenging to identify fraudulent content. For example, falsehoods and rumours about a company or its goods may travel quickly through social media, impacting the confidence and attitude of customers. Algorithms that favour sensational material have the potential to magnify disinformation, resulting in the broad distribution of erroneous information that can harm a company's brand.

2. False Customer Reviews and Testimonials

False testimonies and evaluations pose a serious risk to MSMEs. These might be abused to damage a company's brand or lead to unfair competition. False testimonials, for instance, might mislead prospective customers about the calibre or quality of a company’s offerings, while phony reviews can cause consumers to mistrust a company's goods or services. These actions frequently form a part of larger plans by rival companies or bad individuals to weaken a company's position in the market.

3. Misleading Information about Business Practices

False statements or distortions regarding a company's operations constitute misleading information about business practices. This might involve dishonest marketing, fabrications regarding the efficacy or legitimacy of goods, and inaccurate claims on a company's compliance with laws or moral principles. Such incorrect information can result in a decline in consumer confidence, harm to one's reputation, and even legal issues if consumers or rival businesses act upon it. Even before the truth is confirmed, for example, allegations of wrongdoing or criminal activity pertaining can inflict a great deal of harm, even if they are disproven later.

4. Fake News Related to Industry and Market Conditions

By skewing consumer views and company actions, fake news about market and industry circumstances can have a significant effect on MSMEs. For instance, false information about market trends, regulations, or economic situations might make consumers lose faith in particular industries or force corporations to make poor strategic decisions. The rapid dissemination of misinformation on online platforms intensifies its effects on enterprises that significantly depend on digital engagement for their operations.

Factors Contributing to the Vulnerability of MSMEs

1. Limited Resources for Verification

MSMEs have a small resource pool. Information verification is typically not a top priority for most. MSMEs usually lack the resources needed to verify the information and given their limited resources, they usually tend to deploy the same towards other, more seemingly-critical functions. They are more susceptible to misleading information because they lack the capacity to do thorough fact-checking or validate the authenticity of digital content. Technology tools, human capital, and financial resources are all in low supply but they are essential requirements for effective verification processes.

2. Inadequate Digital Literacy

Digital literacy is required for effective day-to-day operations. Fake reviews, rumours, or fake images commonly used by malicious actors can result in increased scrutiny or backlash against the targeted business. The lack of awareness combined with limited resources usually spells out a pale redressal plan on part of the affected MSME. Due to their low digital literacy in this domain, a large number of MSMEs are more susceptible to false information and other online threats. Inadequate knowledge and abilities to use digital platforms securely and effectively can result in making bad decisions and raising one's vulnerability to fraud, deception, and online scams.

3. Lack of Crisis Management Plans

MSMEs frequently function without clear-cut procedures for handling crises. They lack the strategic preparation necessary to deal with the fallout from disinformation and cyberattacks. Proactive crisis management plans usually incorporate procedures for detecting, addressing, and lessening the impact of digital harms, which are frequently absent from MSMEs.

4. High Dependence on Social Media and Online Platforms

The marketing strategy for most MSMEs is heavily reliant on social media and online platforms. While the digital-first nature of operations reduces the need for a large capital to set up in the form of stores or outlets, it also gives them a higher need to stay relevant to the trends of the online community and make their products attractive to the customer base. However, MSMEs are depending more and more on social media and other online channels for marketing, customer interaction, and company operations. These platforms are really beneficial, but they also put organisations at a higher risk of false information and online fraud. Heavy reliance on these platforms coupled with the absence of proper security measures and awareness can result in serious interruptions to operations and monetary losses.

CyberPeace Policy Recommendations to Enhance Information Resilience for MSMEs

CyberPeace advocates for establishing stronger legal frameworks to protect MSMEs from misinformation. Governments should establish regulations to build trust in online business activities and mitigate fraud and misinformation risks. Mandatory training programs should be implemented to cover online safety and misinformation awareness for MSME businesses. Enhanced reporting mechanisms should be developed to address digital harm incidents promptly. Governments should establish strict penalties for deliberate inaccurate misinformation spreaders, similar to those for copyright or intellectual property violations. Community-based approaches should be encouraged to help MSMEs navigate digital challenges effectively. Donor communities and development agencies should invest in digital literacy and cybersecurity training for MSMEs, focusing on misinformation mitigation and safe online practices. Platform accountability should be increased, with social media and online platforms playing a more active role in removing content from known scam networks and responding to fraudulent activity reports. There should be investment in comprehensive digital literacy solutions for MSMEs that incorporate cyber hygiene and discernment skills to combat misinformation.

‍Conclusion

Misinformation poses a serious risk to MSME’s digital resilience, operational effectiveness, and financial stability. MSMEs are susceptible to false information because of limited technical resources, lack of crisis management strategies, and insufficient digital literacy. They are also more vulnerable to false information and online fraud because of their heavy reliance on social media and other online platforms. To address these challenges it is significant to strengthen their cyber hygiene and information resilience. Robust policy and regulatory frameworks are encouraged, promoting and mandating online safety training programmes, and improved reporting procedures, are required to overall enhance the information landscape. 

References:

1. https://www.dai.com/uploads/digital-downsides.pdf
2. https://www.indiacode.nic.in/bitstream/123456789/2013/3/A2006-27.pdf
3. https://pib.gov.in/PressReleaseIframePage.aspx?PRID=1946375
4. https://dai-global-digital.com/digital-downsides-the-economic-impact-of-misinformation-and-other-digital-harms-on-msmes-in-kenya-india-and-cambodia.html
5. https://www.dai.com/uploads/digital-downsides.pdf

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