Scanner Reveals Viral Fake Photo Card Aimed at Political Emotions

Fact-Checking Organization Exposes Fabricated Photocard Targeting Political Groups

Rumor Scanner, a prominent fact-checking organization, has identified and debunked a sophisticated piece of misinformation designed to inflame political tensions in Bangladesh. The organization’s investigation revealed that a viral photocard circulating across social media platforms contains entirely fabricated claims about a woman allegedly affiliated with Jamaat.

The false narrative began with an actual incident in Barisal where authorities confiscated a mobile phone from a woman in an examination hall. However, bad actors manipulated this incident by creating and distributing a photocard claiming the woman was a Jamaat leader who had been arrested for theft while attempting to campaign for the “Daripalla” election symbol in residential areas.

“Our investigation conclusively determined that both the photocard and all associated claims are completely false,” said a spokesperson from Rumor Scanner. “This represents a dangerous form of targeted misinformation designed to exploit political divisions.”

This incident is part of a broader and concerning pattern of disinformation targeting Bangladesh’s political landscape. According to Rumor Scanner’s analysis, there has been a significant escalation in coordinated misinformation campaigns since last year, with particular focus on undermining the interim government, distorting developments in the Khagrachhari region, and attacking political parties and organizations that participated in the 2024 movement.

The organization’s ongoing monitoring has traced many of these disinformation efforts to multiple sources, including various Indian media outlets, social media accounts operated from India, and a network of local Facebook accounts within Bangladesh. These campaigns appear strategically designed to sow confusion, amplify divisions, and manipulate public opinion during politically sensitive periods.

Digital misinformation experts note that fabricated photocards represent a particularly effective form of disinformation because they combine visual elements with text in a format that resembles legitimate news content. This approach exploits the tendency of social media users to quickly share visually compelling content without verification.

“What makes this trend especially troubling is the sophisticated targeting of specific political groups,” explained a regional media analyst who tracks disinformation trends across South Asia. “By attributing fictional criminal behavior to members of particular political movements, these campaigns attempt to delegitimize entire organizations in the public eye.”

Rumor Scanner has documented hundreds of similar pieces of misinformation circulating online in recent months. Their fact-checking efforts involve rigorous verification processes, including source tracing, image analysis, and direct outreach to relevant authorities to confirm or refute claims.

Digital literacy advocates have emphasized the importance of public awareness about such tactics, especially as Bangladesh navigates complex political transitions. They recommend that citizens verify information through multiple reliable sources before sharing content, particularly when claims appear designed to trigger strong emotional responses about political figures or organizations.

The Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission has previously expressed concern about the rise in politically motivated disinformation and has called for increased cooperation between platform companies, fact-checkers, and government agencies to address the challenge.

As elections approach and political activities intensify across Bangladesh, fact-checking organizations anticipate further surges in targeted misinformation. Rumor Scanner has committed to expanding its monitoring and debunking efforts to help preserve information integrity during this critical period.

Media literacy experts emphasize that combating such disinformation requires not just fact-checking but also strengthening the public’s ability to critically evaluate information sources and recognize manipulation tactics commonly deployed in political contexts.