#FactCheck-Claim That Putin Ignored PM Modi in Favour of Pakistan PM Is Misleading
Executive Summary
A Pakistani propaganda account on social media has claimed that Russian President Vladimir Putin ignored Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and stood alongside the Pakistani Prime Minister. Research by CyberPeace’s research wing found that PM Modi and President Putin held a bilateral meeting on the sidelines of the SCO Summit in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan. During the meeting, the two leaders exchanged warm greetings and discussed several issues, including the India-Russia strategic partnership.
Claim:
A social media post claims that Russian President Vladimir Putin ignored Prime Minister Narendra Modi and stood alongside the Pakistani Prime Minister.
https://x.com/TacticalTribun/status/2094808040973172786
Fact Check:
To verify the truth behind the viral claim, we searched Google using relevant keywords related to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s official visit to Kyrgyzstan. During the search, we found a video posted on ANI’s X handle on September 1, 2026. According to the video, Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin in Bishkek during the 26th Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit.
https://x.com/ANI/status/2094675518897692896
In the next step of our research, we scanned Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s X account, where we found a post dated August 31, 2026. In the post, PM Modi wrote, “Had extensive discussions with President Putin. Discussed the full range of the India-Russia Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership. It is gladdening to see significant progress across various sectors in recent years. Focus areas for the India-Russia friendship remain energy, innovation, space, fertilisers and people-to-people linkages.”
https://x.com/narendramodi/status/2094433881714032725?s=20
At the end of our research, we found a report published on the Aaj Tak website on September 1, 2026. According to the report, Prime Minister Narendra Modi was in Bishkek, the capital of Kyrgyzstan, where he attended the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit. Several leaders of the organisation, including Chinese President Xi Jinping, Russian President Vladimir Putin and Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, also attended the summit. During the summit, a moment was captured in which PM Modi warmly greeted Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin together, while Shehbaz Sharif was seen quietly walking past them.
Conclusion:
Our research established that the claim that Russian President Vladimir Putin ignored Prime Minister Narendra Modi and gave preference to the Pakistani Prime Minister is misleading. The viral post presents video footage from different occasions out of context. In reality, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Putin held a bilateral meeting, during which the two leaders discussed several key issues, including the India-Russia strategic partnership.
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Executive Summary
A video showing security personnel overpowering a man is being widely shared on social media with the claim that it shows the Border Security Force (BSF) arresting an infiltrator attempting to cross the India-Bangladesh border in West Bengal. However, research by CyberPeace Research Wing found that the claim is false. The viral video is from Bangladesh and is unrelated to India or the BSF.
Claim
An X user shared the viral video claiming: “He was crossing the Bengal border from beneath the barbed fencing when the BSF caught him on the spot.”
The post was circulated as an incident from the India-Bangladesh border in West Bengal.
Fact Check
To verify the claim, we extracted keyframes from the viral video and conducted a reverse image search. During the research, we found the same video posted on 21 March 2026 by an X handle named “Niru Nahar.”
According to the caption of that post, the video showed Bangladesh Border Guards arresting BNP leader Mizan, also known as “Baba Mizan,” near the border.
Further research led us to a Facebook post uploaded on 22 March 2026 by Bangladeshi news platform Jono Pulse. The post identified the detained individual as “Juel,” an alleged drug trafficker from Chapainawabganj, and stated that he had been arrested by the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB).
Chapainawabganj is located in Bangladesh, confirming that the video is unrelated to West Bengal or the BSF.
Conclusion
The viral claim is misleading. The video does not show the BSF arresting an infiltrator at the Bengal border. It is actually from Bangladesh and depicts a separate incident involving Border Guard Bangladesh personnel.
Introduction
The way we interact, go about our daily lives and manage our financial resources has completely changed in this digital age. Tasks that were earlier done manually (and were extremely time-consuming) now happen in just minutes and seconds. As this convenience expands, so do the risks that come with it. The proliferation of digital technology has opened up a wide arena where we, as users, are getting exposed to a complex environment of emerging cyber threats at every step. This has become especially true for our senior citizens, who face heightened vulnerabilities owing to their age and situational factors. Therefore, getting an understanding of these risks and knowing how to respond to them is no longer optional.
Cybercrime against senior citizens is rising every year. The elderly today are using and depending on smartphones, net banking, UPI (Unified Payments Interface) and social media more than ever. Scammers are preying on this circumstance and perpetrating well-planned cyber attacks on the senior population. A 2024 report from the United States Federal Trade Commission (FTC) that analysed cybercrime data for the year 2023 found that older adults lost more money per incident as opposed to the younger population.
This blog aims at providing practical and easy-to-follow cyber safety tips for senior citizens and a clear action plan on how to respond if they ever fall victim to a scam.
Safe and Smart Browsing for the Elderly: Essential Cybersecurity Tips
- Device safety: Cybersecurity can be ensured with one simple rule, which is securing your device first. This is the first line of defence against cybercrime and can go a long way in preventing online attacks and scams. This device security can be established by using screen locks such as setting up a PIN, lock patterns, fingerprints, or even applying the face lock feature on smartphones and tablets.
The next step is to install a reputable antivirus on your device (such as laptops and desktops) and keep updating it from time to time. Enabling additional security features in your devices, such as ‘automatic updates’, further ensures that the phone’s Operating System (OS) and the Applications (apps) remain up to date. This guarantees that the device’s OS and the apps are fully upgraded to catch and fix any new security threats. Users should also beware of any unauthorised software. Suspicious links or messages that offer free software or updates should be avoided at all costs.
The Government of India’s 2024 cyber safety booklet also stresses the importance of keeping devices and apps equipped with the latest security patches to prevent exploitation of any known vulnerabilities.
- Robust Passwords and 2FA: Weak passwords are one of the easiest entry points for cybercriminals. This is why it is crucial to have strong and robust passwords to keep accounts and devices absolutely secure. It is also important to make sure to avoid using very basic PINs, such as date of birth or predictable ascending digits such as ‘12345’. Also, similar passwords should not be used across various bank, email or social media accounts. While creating a strong password, ideally, one should use a combination of upper case and lower case letters along with mixed digits and special characters. If need be, one can jot down these complex passwords in a separate physical diary to keep a record and refer to it in case of forgetfulness.
Enabling two-factor authentication adds an extra layer of protection. Whenever and wherever possible, users should enable OTP (one-time password) based verification or app-based authentication codes. In case someone does end up stealing the user’s password, they would still need the second factor to log in.
The Government of India supported the Information Security Education and Awareness (ISEA) initiative, which also provides guidelines that recommend the use of passwords and secure authentication as key cyber safety practices for senior citizens.
- Handle messages with caution: Most cybercrime instances against senior citizens are initiated with a phone call, an SMS or a WhatsApp message. Personal details such as OTPs, CVV (3-digit number on the back of a debit/credit card), ATM or UPI PIN, full debit/credit card number, net banking ID and password, etc., should never be shared over a call or a chat. Also, people need to be aware of the fact that genuine officials will never make any demands for such details over calls or messages. ISEA has specifically warned about frauds like phishing, where fraudsters call or message their victims pretending to be from banks, courier companies, telecom operators or from the government to trick seniors into revealing their personal details.
A caller might say ‘Your KYC can get blocked, give OTP now’ or ‘Your card will get deactivated, click this link’. Hang up immediately! Do not click any links, do not share any number and do not install any app that they suggest (eg. remote access apps).
- Banking without worries: Online banking is truly a boon, especially for senior citizens. It eliminates the need to visit the bank in person for every small requirement. But this comfort and ease can serve us well only if we use it with a certain sense of vigilance and responsibility.
Users are advised to use only official banking apps that are downloaded from Google Play Store or the Apple App Store. It is also prudent to activate SMS or email alerts for all online transactions so that the user receives timely notifications of any withdrawal or transfer. Users should also avoid using public Wi-Fi connections for banking or UPI payments. It is better to use your own mobile data or a home Wi-Fi with a strong password. This safeguards your financial transactions. India has a system in place called the Citizen Financial Cyber Fraud Reporting and Management System (CFCFRMS) that quickly responds to online financial fraud, especially with regards to UPI and net banking frauds.
- Think before you share: Beyond online banking and other essential activities on the web, lies the world of social media which has seamlessly woven itself into our daily routines. Therefore, gaining awareness about the safe usage of social media is extremely important. For starters, users should keep the privacy settings of their social media accounts as ‘Private’. They should also be mindful of accepting friend requests from strangers or unknown profiles, even if they claim that they know the user. Users must also avoid ‘oversharing’ on public platforms and social media accounts. It is always best to refrain from posting about personal details on social media such as finances, travel schedules or addresses. If a user receives urgent messages from a close friend or a relative asking for money, then it is better to first call them up directly to verify that the request is genuine.
The older generation should also be wary of fraudsters who, under false identities, build emotional relationships online and then start demanding money, gifts or even private photos from their victims.
- Stay a step ahead: Lastly, senior users can stay a step ahead in this game by familiarising themselves with the typical scams that are targeted towards their age group. This know-how will prepare them to identify scam patterns and early warning signs. Discussing experiences or sharing knowledge with family members or peers can also help seniors bridge the gap between awareness and action.
Fallen for a scam? Don’t panic! Here’s what seniors should do next: An action plan for recovery and protection
We are all human at the end of the day. Anyone can fall for a scam, even the most careful people. The important thing is how to ‘respond’ after getting scammed. As per the 2023 Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) Elder Fraud Report, prompt reporting after a scam can improve the chances of either freezing or retrieving the stolen money. If you have fallen for a scam, here is what you should do:
- Keep calm and disconnect: Though it may feel challenging, but the first instinct that victims should display is to keep their calm and hang up the phone. The victim should then block the number and refrain from responding to any further emails or messages. Any remote access app, screen sharing app or a support tool that were installed at the request of the caller, should be instantly uninstalled.
- Alert your bank right away: Time is of the essence when it comes to online financial frauds. If a user has been scammed and he is aware of it, then he should immediately call the official customer care number of his bank. It is to be noted here that this number should be verified from the bank’s website or from the user’s credit/debit card. Once the user is connected to the bank’s support staff, he should inform them clearly that he has been a victim of an online fraud. The support staff may guide the user regarding the options that he can undertake. These can be: blocking the cards, freezing the account or an attempt from the bank’s interface to try and stop or recall the recent transaction.
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has laid down certain guidelines on unauthorised electronic banking transactions that encourage quick reporting and provide a steady framework for customer liability. Also, if in case a victim feels that the bank’s response has been unsatisfactory, the complaints can be further escalated to the RBI Ombudsman.
- Reset online credentials: Once the victim has spoken to the bank and taken all necessary steps in that regard, the next step is to reset the passwords. Passwords for netbanking, UPI apps, email accounts, social media, shopping platforms, etc., should all be changed. The victim can also turn on two factor authentication for all important accounts. Incase some critical information like PAN (Permanent Account Number) or Aadhar or SSN (Social Security Number ) has been shared, the victim should be on the lookout for any identity theft in the form of unknown loans, new cards or credit enquiries.
- Notify official cybercrime portals or authorities: The next step is to inform the relevant cybercrime authorities in your region. In India there is a government backed National Cyber Crime Helpline which is a part of the Financial Cyber Fraud Reporting and Management System. The aim of the helpline is to prevent further losses in digital payment frauds. Victims can also file a complaint on the National Cyber Crime Reporting portal. Other than these options, the victim can visit the nearest police station along with copies of their online complaint, bank statements, transaction receipts and ID proofs.
In the US, such complaints can be lodged with the IC3 which runs a specialised elder fraud program. The IC3 also publishes the annual Elder Fraud Report and lays down latest guidelines and trends regarding cybercrime.
- Preserve proofs of the scam: The IC3’s 2023 report notes that detailed and prompt reporting by the victim enables law enforcement and financial institutions to deploy ‘Financial Fraud Kill Chain’ procedures that help in tracing or freezing stolen funds. This is why it is very important to preserve the evidence of a cyber scam. Proper documentation can help banks and law enforcement agencies to properly investigate a case. If possible, the victim should save all messages, WhatsApp chats, emails, screenshots and voice recordings. Establishing a clear timeline of the events also helps. Minute details such as: when the first call was received, what was said and when the money exited the victim’s account, significantly help in piecing together the full picture. Victims should also keep a record of all bank statements and transaction alert messages related to the fraudulent activity.
- Helping seniors heal: Apart from monetary damage, the emotional impact of a scam should also be acknowledged. Getting scammed can be deeply humiliating for senior citizens, especially at their age where everyday life may already feel quite overwhelming. Also, when it comes to their lifelong savings, the ramifications of becoming a victim of an online financial scam can be quite distressing for seniors. The US Department of Justice’s elder fraud content emphasises on the fact that senior victims need ample emotional support and should not be blamed or shamed for their predicament.
Families and caregivers can guide the elderly victims step by step through the recovery process which includes taking the necessary technical steps, filling out forms and following up with banks or authorities. For large value frauds, repeated targeting or cases that involve identity theft, getting a legal consult for the victim is highly advisable. This kind of support and reassurance can help seniors reduce their anxiety and regain their inner strength.
Secure today, safe tomorrow
The rate of cybercrime against senior citizens isn’t showing any signs of slowing down. Scammers are refining their techniques every day. Therefore, the best long standing defence against cybercrime is to make cyber safety a regular habit. This can be achieved with the support of families, caregivers and communities. Beyond the practical steps, spreading awareness and maintaining an open dialogue is equally important. Senior citizens should feel comfortable asking questions, sharing concerns and continue learning from experiences, be it theirs or of others. Reinforcement of safe online practices should become ingrained at the core of every society. When cybersecurity practices merge with everyday life, seniors gain both protection and confidence. Simple and steady digital safety practices that come with guidance and reassurance empower the seniors to enjoy the benefits of technology without fear.
Simply put, the habits that are adopted today will lay the foundation for a secure and safer digital tomorrow.
References
- https://bankingjournal.aba.com/2024/11/ftc-older-adults-lost-up-to-61-5b-to-fraud-in-2023/
- https://www.cert-in.org.in/PDF/CSH_Booklet.pdf
- https://infosecawareness.in/concept/cyber-security-tips-for-senior-citizens
- https://cybercrime.gov.in/UploadMedia/instructions_citizenreportingcyberfrauds.pdf
- https://www.ic3.gov/annualreport/reports/2023_ic3elderfraudreport.pdf
- https://www.arklegal.in/post/how-to-report-cyber-crime-in-india
- https://www.pib.gov.in/Pressreleaseshare.aspx?PRID=1814120
- https://cybercrime.gov.in/Webform/crmcondi.aspx
- https://www.justice.gov/archives/stopfraud-archive/elder-fraud-and-financial-exploitation
- https://www.ftc.gov/system/files/ftc_gov/pdf/federal-trade-commission-protecting-older-adults-report_102024.pdf
- https://www.unionbankofindia.bank.in/pdf/cyber-security-customer-awareness-guide-vol-v.pdf
- https://cdnbbsr.s3waas.gov.in/s371e09b16e21f7b6919bbfc43f6a5b2f0/uploads/2024/11/20241111752149945.pdf
- https://www.dsci.in/files/content/documents/2024/CSAM24-Infographic_Cyber-Safety-Essentials-for-Senior-Citizens-v1.pdf
Executive Summary:
Assembly elections are underway in several Indian states, including West Bengal, Assam, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Puducherry. While voting has already taken place in Assam, Kerala, and Puducherry, polling is still pending in West Bengal. In view of the elections, central security forces have been deployed across West Bengal. Amid this, a video showing a group of people pelting stones at a security vehicle is being widely shared on social media. Some users claim that the incident took place in West Bengal and allege that Muslims attacked an army vehicle. However, research by CyberPeace found the claim to be false. The viral video is from Pakistan and has no connection to West Bengal.
Claim
A social media user shared the video on April 5, 2026, claiming that an army vehicle was attacked in West Bengal.
Post links:
Fact Check
To verify the claim, we extracted keyframes from the viral video and conducted a reverse image search using Google Lens. This led us to a video posted on a Facebook page on October 13, 2025. The caption of that post indicated that the video was from Lahore, showing clashes between members of Tehreek-e-Labbaik and the police.
Further clues in the video also pointed to Pakistan. A shop sign reading “Lovely Drink Corner” is visible in the footage. A Google search confirmed that this establishment is located in Lahore, Pakistan.
Conclusion
The viral claim is misleading. Although central forces have been deployed in West Bengal for the ongoing elections, the video showing stone-pelting on a security vehicle is not from the state. It is an old video from Lahore, Pakistan, and is being falsely shared with a communal angle to mislead users.
