#FactCheck-AI-Generated Video Falsely Shared as Thermal Footage of Hundreds of Crocodiles in the Amazon River
Executive Summary
A video is being widely shared on social media claiming to show a helicopter's thermal camera capturing hundreds of crocodiles hidden along the Amazon River at night. The footage appears to show a thermal imaging view of a river and its banks, where hundreds of crocodiles can allegedly be seen. Users claim the video was recorded using night-vision/thermal imaging technology over the Amazon River. CyberPeace Research Wing’s research found the claim to be false. The research revealed that the viral video is not authentic but has been generated using artificial intelligence (AI) and is being circulated with a fabricated claim.
Claim
Social media users are sharing the video claiming that it shows a thermal camera recording of hundreds of crocodiles in and around the Amazon River at night. The post link and screenshot are provided below.
https://www.instagram.com/reel/DalJ41bIezV/?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet
https://www.instagram.com/reel/DalJ41bIezV/?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet
Fact Check
To verify the claim, we extracted several keyframes from the viral video and conducted a reverse image search using Google Lens. However, we found no credible news reports, authentic videos, or reliable sources confirming that the footage was recorded over the Amazon River.
We then conducted a detailed visual analysis of the video. The footage exclusively shows crocodile-like figures spread across the river and its banks, while no other aquatic animals or natural environmental activity—normally expected in a river ecosystem of that scale—are visible. These inconsistencies raised further doubts about the video's authenticity.
As part of our verification, we analysed the video using the AI detection tool Hive Moderation. The analysis indicated a 95.7% probability that the video was AI-generated.
As part of our verification, we analysed the video using the AI detection tool Hive Moderation. The analysis indicated a 95.7% probability that the video was AI-generated.
Conclusion
Our research found that the viral video does not show a genuine thermal-camera recording of the Amazon River. The footage was created using artificial intelligence and is being circulated online with a false and misleading claim.
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Introduction
WhatsApp has become the new platform for scams, and the number of cases of WhatsApp scams is increasing daily. Just like that, a new WhatsApp scam has been started, and many WhatsApp users in India have reported receiving missed calls from unknown international numbers. Worse, one does not even have to answer the call to be scammed. A missed call is sufficient to be scammed.
Millions of populations switch from normal SMS to WhatsApp, usually, people used to get fake messages and marketing messages, but the trend of scamming has been evolving now. Most people get calls from different countries, and they are concerned about how these scammers got the numbers. WhatsApp works through VoIP networks, so no extra charges from any country exist. And about 500 million WhatsApp users are getting these scam calls, the calls are mainly on job-scams of promising part-time employment and opportunities. These types of job scam calls have been started reporting in 2023.
People reporting missed calls from countries like Ethiopia (+251), Malaysia (+60), Indonesia (+62), Vietnam (+84), etc.
The agenda of these calls are still unclear. Still, in some cases, the scammers ask for confidential information from WhatsApp users, like bank details, so the users must not reveal their personal information. Also, it is important to note that if you get any calls from a particular country, it necessarily does not mean it is from that country. Various agencies sell international numbers for WhatsApp calls.
Why has WhatsApp become a hub scam?
The generation has evolved and dumped the old SMS into WhatsApp. From school to college and offices, people use WhatsApp for their official work, as it is very easy and user-friendly, so people avoid safety measures. Generally, users need to understand the consequences of technology and use it with safeguards and awareness. Many people lose money and become victims of scams on WhatsApp as they share their confidential information. And the worse is that one does not even have to answer the call to be scammed. A missed call is sufficient to be scammed.
Before these international calls scam, the user received a call from the scam that they were from KBC, and the user won something. Then sought confidential information by the excuse that they would transfer the money to the user, and because of that user got scammed by the scammers. These scams have risen rapidly lately.
Safeguards users can use against these scam calls
WhatsApp responds to complaints regarding international calls to “block and report.”
If you have already received such calls, the best thing you can do is report and block them right away. As a result, the same number does not return to your phone, and numerous identical reports may persuade WhatsApp to delete the number entirely.
WhatsApp is also working on an update allowing users to block calls from unknown numbers on the service.
Users must modify their phone’s and app’s fundamental privacy settings to protect themselves from data breaches. The calls are directed toward app users who are actively using the app. However, by modifying the account’s appearance, a user can lessen the likelihood of being added to the scammers’ attack lists.
Limit Privacy
Begin by modifying WhatsApp’s ‘who can see’ settings. If your profile photo, last seen, and online status are visible to anybody, restrict them to persons on your contact list only. Change the About and Groups options as well.
Turn on two-factor authentication
Enabling two-factor authentication on WhatsApp adds more security to your data. In addition, the app also supports biometric protection in case of theft or loss.
Active Reporting
The users should report as soon as they see something odd or suspicious activity.
A typical question that users have is, ‘Where do the scammers acquire my phone number from?’
The answer is a little more complicated than we thought. Your data is retained on the company database from the time you sign up on a website or reveal your phone number at a store in order to take advantage of promotional offers and promotions. Due to a lack of technological infrastructure and legislation to protect personal data, a scammer can simply obtain your information.
According to Palo Alto research, India is the second most vulnerable country in the APAC region in terms of cyberattacks and data breaches. A data protection law is essential in the face of increasing calls and data breaches.
The Digital Personal Data Protection bill is set to be introduced in the parliament’s monsoon session. The bill has the potential to protect data, which will help to eliminate scams.
Conclusion
Several people had tweeted on tweeter about receiving fake calls on WhatsApp from international numbers more than once. WhatsApp encrypts calls and messages, making it difficult to track the person, and it appears that hackers are taking advantage of this to swindle customers. If you receive a WhatsApp call from any of the above ISD codes, we strongly advise you not to answer it and to block the number so the bad actors do not call you again. Report & block immediately that’s what WhatsApp has been responding to the complainants.
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Executive Summary
A social media post is going viral, claiming that a large number of people took to the streets in Kolkata in support of CJP. The post targets Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, stating, “Gyanesh Kumar, your game is over now!”
CyberPeace Research found that the viral video is not related to any protest against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. The video shows a public Durga Puja celebration at Chorbagan in Kolkata, where a large number of people had gathered.
Claim:
A large number of people took to the streets in Kolkata in support of CJP. The protesters targeted Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, saying, “Gyanu, your game is over now!”
https://x.com/pokershash/status/2111337300848415032
Fact Check
We conducted a reverse image search using keyframes from the viral video. During our research, we found the video on Facebook, where it was identified as footage from a public Durga Puja celebration organised at Chorbagan in Kolkata, which saw a large gathering of people.
https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=29115417811386049
During our research, we found a video published by Times Now Bharat on October 17, 2026. According to the report, the footage shows a large crowd gathered at the Chorbagan Sarbojanin Durga Puja pandal in Kolkata. A near-stampede occurred at the venue, leaving 25 people injured, five of whom were reported to be in critical condition. This confirms that the video is unrelated to any gathering in support of CJP.
Conclusion
Our research found that the viral video is not related to any protest against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. The video shows a public Durga Puja celebration at Chorbagan in Kolkata, where a large number of people had gathered.
Executive Summary
Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently appealed to citizens to reduce the consumption of gold and edible oil for a year. He also urged people to conserve petrol, diesel, and cooking gas amid the crisis arising from the ongoing tensions in West Asia involving the United States, Israel, and Iran. Amid this backdrop, a purported image of Union Home Minister Amit Shah and his son Jay Shah, who currently serves as Chairman of the International Cricket Council, has gone viral on social media. The image shows them seated inside a chartered aircraft along with two other individuals. Several social media users shared the picture as genuine while targeting the central government and Amit Shah.
However, CyberPeace Research Wing reseach found that the viral image is fake and was generated using Artificial Intelligence (AI).
Claim
An Instagram user named “Om Prakash Shukla” shared the viral image on May 24, 2026, with the caption:“People are sacrificing their desires for the nation, while they are enjoying luxury.”
https://www.instagram.com/p/DYuFqnmCh7T
Fact Check
To verify the authenticity of the viral image, we conducted a Google Lens search. However, the image was not found on any credible news platform, which raised suspicion about its authenticity. We also performed keyword-based searches related to the image using Google Search, but found no authentic reports or media coverage associated with the picture.
Further reseach involved analysing the image using AI detection tools. We first examined the picture using the “Sight Engine” AI detection tool, which indicated a 99 percent probability that the image was AI-generated.
We also tested the image using another AI detection platform called “TruthScan.” This tool likewise suggested, with around 97 percent probability, that the image had been created using artificial intelligence
Conclusion
The reseach found that the viral image featuring Union Home Minister Amit Shah and ICC Chairman Jay Shah inside a chartered aircraft is AI-generated. The image was digitally created using AI tools, and the viral claim associated with it is false.
