FACT CHECK: Scripted video of men robbing couple shared as real with communal twist
A CCTV video of two men robbing a couple of their jewelry after drugging them is viral on social media. Users claim that ‘Muslims have found a new way of robbing people’.
By Newsmeter Network Published on 15 Nov 2021 3:12 PM GMT
HYDERABAD: A CCTV video of two men robbing a couple of their jewelry after drugging them is viral on social media. Users claim that 'Muslims have found a new way of robbing people'.
The viral video shows a man standing in front and offering to clean gold jewelry, while a man dressed in religious attire approaches the house and smokes them. This leads to the couple becoming unconscious and falling to the floor. Two men later robbed them and fled from the spot.
The video is shared with the text: "New tactic by peacefuls" (Hindi caption: शांतिदूतो का नया कारनामा) शांतिदूत or peacefuls, is a derogatory term used to refer to Muslims. Some netizens shared the video without a communal claim but claimed it to be a real incident.
FACT CHECK:
The claim is false.
NewsMeter noticed that the video is dated 10-11-2021. Using this as a hint, the fact check team searched for the video on Facebook with relevant keywords and filters and found that a page "Rock on media" uploaded the video on November 10.
The caption of the video clearly mentions that the video is scripted and is meant for entertainment purposes. It reads. "Thank you for watching! Please be aware that this page features scripted dramas and parodies as well. These short films are for entertainment & educational purposes only!"
The last clip of the video carries a disclaimer that reads, "This reel life video footage is published only for the purpose of educating the public by making them understand how the real world situations will be. During this video making, we have taken real incidents and filmed them to educate the public. Characters in this video are for entertainment and education purposes only. We can learn from the experience of others."
NewsMeter also reached out to the account's admin and received confirmation that the video was made for "entertainment and educational purposes only".
Facebook page "Rock on media" is a Telangana-based channel that posts numerous such stages and scripted videos for entertainment purposes.
Evidently, the claim is false.
