Fact Check: Photo showing Ra Smach Laughing Altered
20 years ago, many people who resided in Phnom Penh, Cambodia may have already heard of a well-known robber, Ra Smach, who was a threat to many rich people and tycoos. Due to the robbery and kidnapping, the city was shaken and at least 20 victims were attacked by this guy.
Meanwhile, a viral photo showing this well-known Cambodian gang's notorious leader, kidnapper, Ra Smach, laughing was posted on Facebook recently. This photo was attached with his biography. It was reacted with mixed comments and reshared by many Cambodian Facebook users.
This is about our investigation over this photo.
Social Media Claim
Recently, on September 20, 2021, a Facebook user posted a photo showing a well-known robber/ kidnapper, Ra Smach, laughing with his teeth shown. This Facebook user also shared his biography as well in her caption. The above photo posted by the user may be believed by some Cambodian Facebook users that it is a real photo, with many reactions and reshares.
The following screenshot from the Facebook post showing Ra Smach is laughing in the photo.
Fact Check
Fact Crescendo Cambodia had started to check and verify this photo directly by running a Google Reverse Image search, which brought us to the sources containing the following original photos.
A local news website called Freedom News published a story talking about how Ra Smach had used to defend himself from the public. This story published on January 06, 2020.
A screenshot captured from the news media website showing a photo of Ra Smach with his facial expression is pasted below. This shows that the photo posted by one of the Cambodian users was actually altered.
Freedom News Report Link | Archived Link
According to another news media website called “DNT News” published a story which the title is "If you do not believe, do not insult the black magic. It was brutally used by the dark thieves to defend themselves!". This was published on May 26, 2020, and it shows an exact photo of a well-known robber, Ra Smach, with his strong facial expression.
DNT News Report Link | Archived Link
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Conclusion
Fact Crescendo Cambodia has found out that the photo posted by a Facebook user showing Ra Smach laughing was altered. This original photo factually does not show him laughing at all, in contrast, it shows his strong face.
