In today’s digital era, the term “deepfake” has emerged as a critical concept in the discourse around online misinformation and digital security. Deepfakes, a blend of “deep learning” and “fake”, refer to hyper-realistic digital forgeries created using advanced artificial intelligence (AI) technologies. These sophisticated simulations have the potential to disrupt the fabric of truth in our digital world. The Rise of Deepfakes: A Digital Deception Deepfakes leverage AI algorithms to superimpose existing images and videos onto other images or videos, creating a composite that can be startlingly authentic. This technology, initially a product of benign research, has rapidly evolved, raising alarms globally due to its potential misuse. The ability to fabricate convincing videos of public figures, celebrities, or ordinary individuals speaking or acting in ways they never did poses significant threats – from personal defamation to political misinformation. The Dangers Lurking Behind the Screen: Assessing the Threats The threats posed by deepfakes are multifaceted. On a personal level, they can be used to create non-consensual pornographic content or impersonate individuals, leading to serious reputational harm. In the political arena, deepfakes can distort democratic processes, as fabricated videos of leaders making false statements could easily sway public opinion. This digital manipulation also extends to the corporate world, where deepfakes can be used for fraud or to damage the reputation of companies. Read more: How to Prevent Facebook Hacking: Security measures from Mobile, Desktop Unmasking the False: How to Detect a Deepfake Detecting deepfakes remains a challenge, yet it is crucial to mitigate their potential harm. Here are some methods: 1. Scrutinizing Visual Inconsistencies: Often, deepfakes exhibit subtle flaws, such as unnatural blinking patterns, facial asymmetry, or poor lip-syncing. Observing these discrepancies can be a tell-tale sign of a deepfake. 2. Analyzing Audio Patterns: Inconsistent or unnatural speech patterns, such as unusual intonations or pauses, can indicate manipulation. 3. Digital Footprint Examination: Advanced tools can analyze the digital footprint of a video, looking for alterations in pixel patterns that are not visible to the naked eye. 4. AI-Based Detection Tools: As deepfakes become more sophisticated, AI-powered tools are being developed to detect them. These tools use machine learning algorithms to analyze videos for signs of manipulation that humans might miss. 5. Blockchain Verification: Some platforms are adopting blockchain technology to authenticate the origin and integrity of videos, helping to differentiate genuine content from deepfakes. A Call to Action: The Need for Vigilance The emergence of deepfakes calls for a heightened sense of digital literacy and skepticism. While technology evolves to combat this phenomenon, the responsibility also lies with individuals to critically assess the content they encounter. It’s essential to verify sources and be wary of videos that seem suspicious or too sensational to be true. As deepfakes continue to challenge our perception of reality, staying informed and cautious is our best defense in this ongoing battle against digital deception. Read more: UK cybersecurity center says 'deepfakes' and other AI tools pose a threat to the next election

Fake money is often termed a silent epidemic. The consequences of fake notes on the economy aren’t visible overnight. Rather it has a long-term financial impact that effectively cripples the economy. In fact, the situation became so severe for India that they had to undertake a demonetization policy to curb the supply of counterfeit notes. While the issue with counterfeit currency isn’t as severe in Bangladesh, it is still prevalent. Here are some tips to detect a fake currency note in Bangladesh.  The State of Fake Currency Notes in Bangladesh  The history of fake notes in Bangladesh almost dates back to the introduction of the currency itself. Bangladesh Taka was officially introduced as the state currency in 1972 after the independence. A year later, coins of different denominations of the fraction of 1 taka were also introduced. Currently, the government holds 1 Taka, 2 Taka, and 5 Taka as treasury notes. There have been several changes and the introduction of new notes post-2000. Bangladesh Bank introduced the 1000 Taka note in 2008 with the most recent addition being the 200 Taka note.  Over the years, the security concern over counterfeit currencies has seen BB add several security features to the currencies.  Read More: Govt keen to expand digital banking, examine if digital currency could be launched A look at the pattern of all the busted counterfeit currency gangs in Bangladesh reveals that most of the fake notes are either in 500 to 1000 Taka denomination. It’s a simple case of the economy of scale where the cost of counterfeiting can only be accrued by the 500 and 1000 Taka denominations.  The early counterfeits, before the computer and modern printers, were produced through the hand press system. Needless to say, they were far less accurate and easily detectable. But with more advanced software and printers, fake currencies are becoming more and more like the real ones. A recent bust of a Dhaka-based fake currency gang showed how the security strip, micro prints, and watermark are accurately replicated making it almost impossible for a normal person to distinguish between the two.  Even then, there are some strict guidelines set by Bangladesh Bank to identify fake notes. You can check for all of these if you’re worried about the authenticity.  Read More: HSBC introduces domestic foreign currency transaction through RTGS Ways to Detect Fake Currency Notes in Bangladesh  Watermark  The first obvious sign is the watermark. Each BB-issued 500 and 1000 Taka note has the BB emblem, the denomination value, and a portrait of the father of the nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman as the watermark.  Oftentimes, a cheap replicated fake note will have a misplaced watermark or the print of the portrait will be off when held against the sunlight. This is a clear way to detect fake notes.  Security Strip  The second most obvious way to detect a fake note is by looking at the security strip. The security strip is lodged within the note and has distinct features which are near impossible to replicate.  The first thing to look for is placement. The security strip is positioned vertically on the left side of the note. If you carefully check the top of the security strip, you will notice that it intersects the BB emblem printed on the note. Fake notes often fail to be this precise.  Read More: Haji Danesh to be Bangladesh's first cashless campus: Palak The new 500 and 1000 Taka notes have the denomination and the BB emblem printer vertically on them. The older notes from 10 Taka to 500 Taka had the word “Bangladesh” printed in Bangla. The 1000 Taka note had the denomination printed on a mirrored progression along the strip.  Print Quality  The print quality is another indicator to identify fake notes. That is because the printing process of a banknote is very different from traditional home-based printing. A banknote uses high-quality ink and press printing methods to produce notes.  These are rig-like printing machines that are extremely expensive as well as difficult to get hands-on. A typical fake note made with a standard ink printer or even an industrial-grade press printer will not be able to replicate the microprint or the uneven feel at certain places. And that brings us to the next point.  Microprints  Every Bangladesh bank note issued by BB has distinct microprint which not only makes them unique but also highly difficult to counterfeit. These micro prints are more prevalent on the 500 and 1000 Taka notes.  Read More: Towards a cashless society: MFS monthly transactions cross Tk 1.11 lakh crore These notes have small seven diagonal ink prints which have a distinct hand feel to them. additionally, there are several details on the BB emblem as well as the portrait of the father of the nation which is near impossible to replicate with a normal printer.  Serial Number  Bangladesh Bank-issued notes have a unique seven-digit code preceded by two letter grades. The grading system and reading system are not disclosed to the public. Bank teller machines and money counter machines are equipped with the reading mechanism of bank-issued notes.  BB can easily check the authenticity of any note by comparing its serial number with the database.  Raised Ink  Another telltale sign of a fake note is the raised ink. Bank notes, especially the 100, 500, and 1000 Taka notes have raised ink at several points which are easily understood by touch. You can get a feel of the raised ink in the note description, bottom, and sides of the notes.  Read More: Bangladesh Bank to flirt with digital currency en route to cashless society Bangladesh Bank also uses color-shifting ink on the 100, 500, and 1000 Taka notes. If you move the note around under direct light, you will notice the color shifting to a bottle-green tone. This color shifting can’t typically be recreated on fake notes.  The feel of the Note  The currency note paper is not your typical day-to-day use paper. These papers are specifically imported from different foreign sources under exclusive tenders of the Security Printing Press of Bangladesh.  As a result, any person handling a fake note will be easily able to tell the difference between the two. A fake note will be either too smooth or too rough, never exactly the same. The government also has a general import embargo on the exact same type of paper used for printing currency notes.  Final Words  If you look closely, it's easily possible to detect a fake currency note in Bangladesh. Whether it’s the watermark, or hand feel on the security strip, one or the other will definitely be off. With the high denomination of Bangladeshi currencies limited to 500 and 1000 Taka notes, it's relatively easy to spot fake notes. Still, you should be careful while handling and if you notice any anomaly, inform the central bank to report the case.  Read More: Digital Currency: Benefits and Risks of the Cashless Economy in Bangladesh

A 40-year-old man posing as a judge of the High Court has been arrested in Matlab Dakshin upazila of Chandpur on Friday. Businessman Arif Hossain Prokash alias Biplob Prodhan, son of late Mahbub Prodhan, was nabbed from Uttar Dighaldi village, said OC Mohiuddin of Matlab police station. Read: Rab arrests 2 BCL leaders SI Ruhul Amin filed a case in this regard this afternoon. Biplob Prodhan identified himself as a High Court judge and rented a car from Dhaka to Daudkandi and left for his village, said the OC. He would also avail the protocol and facilities of the judge in different places. “When he reached Daudkandi, he also introduced himself as a judge to the traffic police”. Police got suspicious after visiting Biplob's home and arrested him. Read: Moulvibazar: Three to hang for war crimes During the preliminary interrogation, the accused admitted himself as a fake judge, the officer said. Two identity cards were seized from his possession. The car was also seized. However, the driver of the car was released. He will be produced before the court on Saturday.    

Police arrested six members of a gang on Sunday for fraudulently taking money from people in the name of providing fake government jobs. The arrestees were identified as Md Shahrukh Islam, 29, Md A Kuddus, 34, Md Mainul Islam, 34, Md Billal Hossain, 41, Towkir Ahmed,26, and Md Kafil Uddin, 60. The alleged fraudsters were nabbed during a drive by the Specialized Investigation & Operations (SI&O) unit of the Police Bureau of Investigation (PBI) at the city's Banasree and Rampura area. READ:  Neo JMB member arrested in Dhaka The drive was conducted following a case filed against the accused at Mohammadpur police station by a victim, said PBI in a media release. The gang used to publish fake vacancy notice with handsome salaries of Union Health Community Center, Shukhi Paribar health Center, Ma O Shishu Health Center, Apollo Consumer Products and many other fake companies through job related newspapers and online portals, said Additional Superintendent of SI&O (south) of PBI, Sarwar Jahan. After the victims sent their Curriculum Vitae in the given mails, they would ask them to contact saying they have been selected for the jobs, he said. The gang used to collect money from the job seeking victims through Bkash and other transaction services in phases for exams, training, laptop, medical equipment and transportation costs, said the police officer. READ:  Youth arrested for raping Madrasa girl in Keraniganj The members of the gang used to work collectively and also forge fake appointment letters for the aforementioned organizations, money receipts and identity cards to fraud people, he said.