#FactCheck - Philadelphia Plane Crash Video Falsely Shared as INS Vikrant Attack on Karachi Port
Executive Summary:
A video currently circulating on social media falsely claims to show the aftermath of an Indian Navy attack on Karachi Port, allegedly involving the INS Vikrant. Upon verification, it has been confirmed that the video is unrelated to any naval activity and in fact depicts a plane crash that occurred in Philadelphia, USA. This misrepresentation underscores the importance of verifying information through credible sources before drawing conclusions or sharing content.
Claim:
Social media accounts shared a video claiming that the Indian Navy’s aircraft carrier, INS Vikrant, attacked Karachi Port amid rising India-Pakistan tensions. Captions such as “INDIAN NAVY HAS DESTROYED KARACHI PORT” accompanied the footage, which shows a crash site with debris and small fires.
Fact Check:
After reverse image search we found that the viral video to earlier uploads on Facebook and X (formerly Twitter) dated February 2, 2025. The footage is from a plane crash in Philadelphia, USA, involving a Mexican-registered Learjet 55 (tail number XA-UCI) that crashed near Roosevelt Mall.
Major American news outlets, including ABC7, reported the incident on February 1, 2025. According to NBC10 Philadelphia, the crash resulted in the deaths of seven individuals, including one child.
Conclusion:
The viral video claiming to show an Indian Navy strike on Karachi Port involving INS Vikrant is entirely misleading. The footage is from a civilian plane crash that occurred in Philadelphia, USA, and has no connection to any military activity or recent developments involving the Indian Navy. Verified news reports confirm the incident involved a Mexican-registered Learjet and resulted in civilian casualties. This case highlights the ongoing issue of misinformation on social media and emphasizes the need to rely on credible sources and verified facts before accepting or sharing sensitive content, especially on matters of national security or international relations.
- Claim: INS Vikrant, attacked Karachi Port amid rising India-Pakistan tensions
- Claimed On: Social Media
- Fact Check: False and Misleading
Related Blogs
Introduction
According to the Finance Ministry's data, the incidence of domestic Unified Payment Interface (UPI) fraud rose by 85% in FY 2023-24 compared to FY 2022-23. Further, as of September of FY 2024-25, 6.32 lakh fraud cases had been already reported, amounting to Rs 485 crore. The data was shared on 25th November 2024, by the Finance Ministry in response to a question in Lok Sabha’s winter session about the fraud in UPI transactions during the past three fiscal years.
Statistics
UPI Frauds and Government's Countermeasures
On the query as to measures taken by the government for safe and secure UPI transactions and prevention of fraud in the transactions, the ministry has highlighted the measures as follows:
- The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has launched the Central Payment Fraud Information Registry (CPFIR), a web-based tool for reporting payment-related frauds, operational since March 2020, and it requires requiring all Regulated Entities (RE) to report payment-related frauds to the said CPFIR.
- The Government, RBI, and National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) have implemented various measures to prevent payment-related frauds, including UPI transaction frauds. These include device binding, two-factor authentication through PIN, daily transaction limits, and limits on use cases.
- Further, NPCI offers a fraud monitoring solution for banks, enabling them to alert and decline transactions using AI/ML models. RBI and banks are also promoting awareness through SMS, radio, and publicity on 'cyber-crime prevention'.
- The Ministry of Home Affairs has launched a National Cybercrime Reporting Portal (NCRP) (www.cybercrime.gov.in) and a National Cybercrime Helpline Number 1930 to help citizens report cyber incidents, including financial fraud. Customers can also report fraud on the official websites of their bank or bank branches.
- The Department of Telecommunications has introduced the Digital Intelligence Platform (DIP) and 'Chakshu' facility on the Sanchar Saathi portal, enabling citizens to report suspected fraud messages via call, SMS, or WhatsApp.
Conclusion
UPI is India's most popular digital payment method. As of June 2024, there are around 350 million active users of the UPI in India. The Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C) report indicates that ‘Online Financial Fraud’, a cyber crime category under NCRP, is the most prevalent among others. The rise of financial fraud, particularly UPI fraud is cause for alarm, the scammers use sophisticated strategies to deceive victims. It is high time for netizens to exercise caution and care with their personal and financial information, stay aware of common tactics used by fraudsters, and adhere to best security practices for secure transactions and the safe use of UPI services.
References
Introduction
In the wake of the Spy Loan scandal, more than a dozen malicious loan apps were downloaded on Android phones from the Google Play Store, However, the number is significantly higher because they are also available on third-party marketplaces and questionable websites.
Unmasking the Scam
When a user borrows money, these predatory lending applications capture large quantities of information from their smartphone, which is then used to blackmail and force them into returning the total with hefty interest levels. While the loan amount is disbursed to users, these predatory loan apps request sensitive information by granting access to the camera, contacts, messages, logs, images, Wi-Fi network details, calendar information, and other personal information. These are then sent to loan shark servers.
The researchers have disclosed facts about the applications used by loan sharks to mislead consumers, as well as the numerous techniques used to circumvent some of the limitations imposed on the Play Store. Malware is often created with appealing user interfaces and promotes simple and rapid access to cash with high-interest payback conditions. The revelation of the Spy Loan scandal has triggered an immediate response from law enforcement agencies worldwide. There is an urgency to protect millions of users from becoming victims of malicious loan apps, it has become extremely important for law enforcement to unmask the culprits and dismantle the cyber-criminal network.
Aap’s banned: here is the list of the apps banned by Google Play Store :
- AA Kredit: इंस्टेंट लोन ऐप (com.aa.kredit.android)
- Amor Cash: Préstamos Sin Buró (com.amorcash.credito.prestamo)
- Oro Préstamo – Efectivo rápido (com.app.lo.go)
- Cashwow (com.cashwow.cow.eg)
- CrediBus Préstamos de crédito (com.dinero.profin.prestamo.credito.credit.credibus.loan.efectivo.cash)
- ยืมด้วยความมั่นใจ – ยืมด่วน (com.flashloan.wsft)
- PréstamosCrédito – GuayabaCash (com.guayaba.cash.okredito.mx.tala)
- Préstamos De Crédito-YumiCash (com.loan.cash.credit.tala.prestmo.fast.branch.mextamo)
- Go Crédito – de confianza (com.mlo.xango)
- Instantáneo Préstamo (com.mmp.optima)
- Cartera grande (com.mxolp.postloan)
- Rápido Crédito (com.okey.prestamo)
- Finupp Lending (com.shuiyiwenhua.gl)
- 4S Cash (com.swefjjghs.weejteop)
- TrueNaira – Online Loan (com.truenaira.cashloan.moneycredit)
- EasyCash (king.credit.ng)
- สินเชื่อปลอดภัย – สะดวก (com.sc.safe.credit)
Risks with several dimensions
SpyLoan's loan application violates Google's Financial Services policy by unilaterally shortening the repayment period for personal loans to a few days or any other arbitrary time frame. Additionally, the company threatens users with public embarrassment and exposure if they do not comply with such unreasonable demands.
Furthermore, the privacy rules presented by SpyLoan are misleading. While ostensibly reasonable justifications are provided for obtaining certain permissions, they are very intrusive practices. For instance, camera permission is ostensibly required for picture data uploads for Know Your Customer (KYC) purposes, and access to the user's calendar is ostensibly required to plan payment dates and reminders. However, both of these permissions are dangerous and can potentially infringe on users' privacy.
Prosecution Strategies and Legal Framework
The law enforcement agencies and legal authorities initiated prosecution strategies against the individuals who are involved in the Spy Loan Scandal, this multifaced approach involves international agreements and the exploration of innovative legal avenues. Agencies need to collaborate with International agencies to work on specific cyber-crime, leveraging the legal frameworks against digital fraud furthermore, the cross-border nature of the spy loan operation requires a strong legal framework to exchange information, extradition requests, and the pursuit of legal actions across multiple jurisdictions.
Legal Protections for Victims: Seeking Compensation and Restitution
As the legal battle unfolds in the aftermath of the Spy loan scam the focus shifts towards the victims, who suffer financial loss from such fraudulent apps. Beyond prosecuting culprits, the pursuit of justice should involve legal safeguards for victims. Existing consumer protection laws serve as a crucial shield for Spy Loan victims. These laws are designed to safeguard the rights of individuals against unfair practices.
Challenges in legal representation
As the legal hunt for justice in the Spy Loan scam progresses, it encounters challenges that demand careful navigation and strategic solutions. One of the primary obstacles in the legal pursuit of the Spy loan app lies in the jurisdictional complexities. Within the national borders, it’s quite challenging to define the jurisdiction that holds the authority, and a unified approach in prosecuting the offenders in various regions with the efforts of various government agencies.
Concealing the digital identities
One of the major challenges faced is the anonymity afforded by the digital realm poses a challenge in identifying and catching the perpetrators of the scam, the scammers conceal their identity and make it difficult for law enforcement agencies to attribute to actions against the individuals, this challenge can be overcome by joint effort by international agencies and using the advance digital forensics and use of edge cutting technology to unmask these scammers.
Technological challenges
The nature of cyber threats and crime patterns are changing day by day as technology advances this has become a challenge for legal authorities, the scammers explore vulnerabilities, making it essential, for law enforcement agencies to be a step ahead, which requires continuous training of cybercrime and cyber security.
Shaping the policies to prevent future fraud
As the scam unfolds, it has become really important to empower users by creating more and more awareness campaigns. The developers of the apps need to have a transparent approach to users.
Conclusion
It is really important to shape the policies to prevent future cyber frauds with a multifaced approach. Proposals for legislative amendments, international collaboration, accountability measures, technology protections, and public awareness programs all contribute to the creation of a legal framework that is proactive, flexible, and robust to cybercriminals' shifting techniques. The legal system is at the forefront of this effort, playing a critical role in developing regulations that will protect the digital landscape for years to come.
Safeguarding against spyware threats like SpyLoan requires vigilance and adherence to best practices. Users should exclusively download apps from official sources, meticulously verify the authenticity of offerings, scrutinize reviews, and carefully assess permissions before installation.
References
Introduction
The G7 nations, a group of the most powerful economies, have recently turned their attention to the critical issue of cybercrimes and (AI) Artificial Intelligence. G7 summit has provided an essential platform for discussing the threats and crimes occurring from AI and lack of cybersecurity. These nations have united to share their expertise, resources, diplomatic efforts and strategies to fight against cybercrimes. In this blog, we shall investigate the recent development and initiatives undertaken by G7 nations, exploring their joint efforts to combat cybercrime and navigate the evolving landscape of artificial intelligence. We shall also explore the new and emerging trends in cybersecurity, providing insights into ongoing challenges and innovative approaches adopted by the G7 nations and the wider international community.
G7 Nations and AI
Each of these nations have launched cooperative efforts and measures to combat cybercrime successfully. They intend to increase their collective capacities in detecting, preventing, and responding to cyber assaults by exchanging intelligence, best practices, and experience. G7 nations are attempting to develop a strong cybersecurity architecture capable of countering increasingly complex cyber-attacks through information-sharing platforms, collaborative training programs, and joint exercises.
The G7 Summit provided an important forum for in-depth debates on the role of artificial intelligence (AI) in cybersecurity. Recognising AI’s transformational potential, the G7 nations have participated in extensive discussions to investigate its advantages and address the related concerns, guaranteeing responsible research and use. The nation also recognises the ethical, legal, and security considerations of deploying AI cybersecurity.
Worldwide Rise of Ransomware
High-profile ransomware attacks have drawn global attention, emphasising the need to combat this expanding threat. These attacks have harmed organisations of all sizes and industries, leading to data breaches, operational outages, and, in some circumstances, the loss of sensitive information. The implications of such assaults go beyond financial loss, frequently resulting in reputational harm, legal penalties, and service delays that affect consumers, clients, and the public. The increase in high-profile ransomware incidents has garnered attention worldwide, Cybercriminals have adopted a multi-faceted approach to ransomware attacks, combining techniques such as phishing, exploit kits, and supply chain Using spear-phishing, exploit kits, and supply chain hacks to obtain unauthorised access to networks and spread the ransomware. This degree of expertise and flexibility presents a substantial challenge to organisations attempting to protect against such attacks.
Focusing On AI and Upcoming Threats
During the G7 summit, one of the key topics for discussion on the role of AI (Artificial Intelligence) in shaping the future, Leaders and policymakers discuss the benefits and dangers of AI adoption in cybersecurity. Recognising AI’s revolutionary capacity, they investigate its potential to improve defence capabilities, predict future threats, and secure vital infrastructure. Furthermore, the G7 countries emphasise the necessity of international collaboration in reaping the advantages of AI while reducing the hazards. They recognise that cyber dangers transcend national borders and must be combated together. Collaboration in areas such as exchanging threat intelligence, developing shared standards, and promoting best practices is emphasised to boost global cybersecurity defences. The G7 conference hopes to set a global agenda that encourages responsible AI research and deployment by emphasising the role of AI in cybersecurity. The summit’s sessions present a path for maximising AI’s promise while tackling the problems and dangers connected with its implementation.
As the G7 countries traverse the complicated convergence of AI and cybersecurity, their emphasis on collaboration, responsible practices, and innovation lays the groundwork for international collaboration in confronting growing cyber threats. The G7 countries aspire to establish robust and secure digital environments that defend essential infrastructure, protect individuals’ privacy, and encourage trust in the digital sphere by collaboratively leveraging the potential of AI.
Promoting Responsible Al development and usage
The G7 conference will focus on developing frameworks that encourage ethical AI development. This includes fostering openness, accountability, and justice in AI systems. The emphasis is on eliminating biases in data and algorithms and ensuring that AI technologies are inclusive and do not perpetuate or magnify existing societal imbalances.
Furthermore, the G7 nations recognise the necessity of privacy protection in the context of AI. Because AI systems frequently rely on massive volumes of personal data, summit speakers emphasise the importance of stringent data privacy legislation and protections. Discussions centre around finding the correct balance between using data for AI innovation, respecting individuals’ privacy rights, and protecting data security. In addition to responsible development, the G7 meeting emphasises the importance of responsible AI use. Leaders emphasise the importance of transparent and responsible AI governance frameworks, which may include regulatory measures and standards to ensure AI technology’s ethical and legal application. The goal is to defend individuals’ rights, limit the potential exploitation of AI, and retain public trust in AI-driven solutions.
The G7 nations support collaboration among governments, businesses, academia, and civil society to foster responsible AI development and use. They stress the significance of sharing best practices, exchanging information, and developing international standards to promote ethical AI concepts and responsible practices across boundaries. The G7 nations hope to build the global AI environment in a way that prioritises human values, protects individual rights, and develops trust in AI technology by fostering responsible AI development and usage. They work together to guarantee that AI is a force for a good while reducing risks and resolving social issues related to its implementation.
Challenges on the way
During the summit, the nations, while the G7 countries are committed to combating cybercrime and developing responsible AI development, they confront several hurdles in their efforts. Some of them are:
A Rapidly Changing Cyber Threat Environment: Cybercriminals’ strategies and methods are always developing, as is the nature of cyber threats. The G7 countries must keep up with new threats and ensure their cybersecurity safeguards remain effective and adaptable.
Cross-Border Coordination: Cybercrime knows no borders, and successful cybersecurity necessitates international collaboration. On the other hand, coordinating activities among nations with various legal structures, regulatory environments, and agendas can be difficult. Harmonising rules, exchanging information, and developing confidence across states are crucial for effective collaboration.
Talent Shortage and Skills Gap: The field of cybersecurity and AI knowledge necessitates highly qualified personnel. However, skilled individuals in these fields need more supply. The G7 nations must attract and nurture people, provide training programs, and support research and innovation to narrow the skills gap.
Keeping Up with Technological Advancements: Technology changes at a rapid rate, and cyber-attacks become more complex. The G7 nations must ensure that their laws, legislation, and cybersecurity plans stay relevant and adaptive to keep up with future technologies such as AI, quantum computing, and IoT, which may both empower and challenge cybersecurity efforts.
Conclusion
To combat cyber threats effectively, support responsible AI development, and establish a robust cybersecurity ecosystem, the G7 nations must constantly analyse and adjust their strategy. By aggressively tackling these concerns, the G7 nations can improve their collective cybersecurity capabilities and defend their citizens’ and global stakeholders’ digital infrastructure and interests.
