Celebrities Allegedly Paid to Post on Sheikh Mujib Death Anniversary: Fact-Check Reveals Truth

Celebrities Allegedly Paid to Post on Sheikh Mujib Death Anniversary: Fact-Check Reveals Truth

Yesterday, 15 August, marked the 50th death anniversary of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the founding father of Bangladesh, who was assassinated along with his family in 1975. As every year, people from all walks of life paid tribute to him on this solemn day. However, this year, despite government restrictions, social media was flooded with messages of condolence and remembrance.

Several stars from the entertainment industry, including Shakib Khan and Jaya Ahsan, shared messages of grief and respect for Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. Their posts gained significant attention online.

However, by the end of the day, rumours began circulating on social media claiming that certain celebrities were allegedly paid to post tributes.

The speculation intensified when an image of a supposed bank statement went viral online. The statement allegedly showed funds being transferred from the account of filmmaker and actress Meher Afroz Shaon at Standard Chartered Bank (SCB) to the accounts of nine actors, with each receiving approximately 20,000 BDT between 13 and 14 August.

This sparked heated discussion among fans and the public, prompting verification by Rumor Scanner Bangladesh, a fact-checking organisation recognised by the international fact-checking network.

Rumor Scanner’s investigation revealed multiple inconsistencies:

• The viral statement showed a 13-digit account number, whereas SCB account numbers are 11 digits.
• Verification confirmed that no such accounts exist corresponding to the numbers listed.
• Transaction details appeared irregular and inconsistent.
• In reality, SCB statements do not display recipient names or account numbers.

According to Rumor Scanner, the statement was created by placing the SCB logo on an easily available online template, a method previously used to produce fake statements for other banks. Their assessment concluded that the viral bank statement is completely fabricated and deliberately created to spread misinformation.

Fact vs Rumour

This incident highlights how fake documents and viral misinformation can easily create controversy, even on sensitive occasions such as national mourning. Fact-checkers emphasise the importance of verifying claims before sharing online, particularly when they involve public figures and high-profile events.