Indian Video Falsely Circulated as Bangladesh Extortion Incident, Rumor Scanner Reports

A video circulating on social media purportedly showing an imam being assaulted for preaching against extortion in Bangladesh has been debunked as false by fact-checking organization Rumor Scanner.

The organization’s investigation team confirmed the footage originated in India and is being deliberately shared with fabricated context to mislead viewers about events in Bangladesh. Their analysis determined there is no connection between the video and any actual incidents involving religious figures being targeted for speaking about extortion.

“Our investigation found clear evidence that this is an Indian video being repurposed with a false narrative,” said a representative from Rumor Scanner. “The timing and widespread sharing pattern suggests an organized attempt to create confusion and social tension.”

This incident highlights the growing challenge of cross-border misinformation in South Asia, where content from one country is frequently misrepresented as occurring in neighboring nations. Digital rights experts note that religious content is particularly susceptible to such manipulation, as it can quickly inflame community sentiments.

The spread of the falsified video comes amid increasing concerns about misinformation targeting Bangladesh, particularly content designed to create impressions of religious persecution or governance failures. Security analysts suggest that such misinformation campaigns often intensify during politically sensitive periods or in response to regional developments.

Bangladesh’s Cyber Security Agency has documented a 47 percent increase in cross-border misinformation campaigns over the past year. Officials have urged social media users to verify information through official channels before sharing potentially inflammatory content.

“This particular video followed a familiar pattern we’ve observed in recent misinformation campaigns,” explained Dr. Sadia Rahman, a digital media researcher at Dhaka University. “It was first shared by accounts with minimal following, then amplified by larger accounts, often accompanied by provocative commentary designed to trigger emotional responses.”

Rumor Scanner has established itself as one of the region’s leading fact-checking organizations, partnering with major social media platforms to reduce the spread of false information. Their investigation into this video involved reverse image searches, geolocation techniques, and consultation with local authorities in both Bangladesh and India.

The organization has published a detailed breakdown of the video’s origins on their website, including timestamps and visual indicators proving its Indian origin. They have also identified several key accounts responsible for the initial spread of the misinformation.

Media literacy experts emphasize that such incidents demonstrate the importance of critical evaluation before sharing content online. “The deliberate misattribution of this video shows how easily visual media can be weaponized,” noted international media analyst Farhan Khan. “When viewers see content that seems designed to provoke outrage, that’s precisely when verification becomes most important.”

Bangladesh’s Ministry of Information has acknowledged the Rumor Scanner report and urged citizens to report suspicious content to the appropriate authorities. Social media platforms have also begun adding warning labels to posts containing the misrepresented video.

This case represents part of a broader regional challenge, as similar cross-border misinformation has affected relations between various South Asian countries in recent years. Digital policy experts suggest that improved cooperation between nations and technology platforms is essential for addressing such information manipulation effectively.

Rumor Scanner continues to monitor the spread of the falsified video and is working with social media companies to limit its reach. The organization has also called on community leaders to help disseminate accurate information about the video’s true origins.