Paris Attacks Prompt Online Hoax: Sikh Man Photoshopped To Look Like Bomber

Flag — A French flag flutters during a vigil at Plaza de Francia in Panama City, Nov. 14, 2015, following the deadly attacks in Paris. The attacks prompted an internet hoax involving a photoshopped image of a Sikh man made to look like a Paris bomber. Reuters/Carlos Jasso

An image of a Canadian Sikh man photoshopped to look like a Paris attacker with a suicide bomb vest and a Quran circulated on social media Saturday afternoon but was quickly debunked, Buzzfeed News reported.

The photo was even picked up by self-proclaimed Islamic State group supporters and Khilafah News, a popular pro-ISIS Telegram channel, despite containing obvious giveaways that the man was not one of the Paris suicide bombers, such as his Sikh turban and North American-style electrical outlets.

That’s an iPad, not a Quran, and the Dastar (turban) is worn by Sikhs. pic.twitter.com/xkKzJ0G65f
— Grasswire Fact Check (@grasswirefacts) November 14, 2015

Veerender Jubbal, the man in the photo, pinned the ruse on supporters of Gamergate, the online movement that has been scrutinized for misogyny, racism and harassment tactics under the mantle of debating ethics in video game journalism. The original photo of Jubbal was a bathroom selfie taken with his iPad that he posted on Aug. 4.

“Gamers are absolute garbage like I have been saying for a full year,” Veerender tweeted Saturday afternoon. “People will not stop harassing, and bothering me.”

You can all check the last retweets. Let us start with basics. Never been to Paris. Am a Sikh dude with a turban. Lives in Canada.
— Veerender Jubbal (@Veeren_Jubbal) November 14, 2015

Jubbal is a Toronto-based freelance writer and has been a longstanding critic of the Gamergate movement, who is credited with creating the popular #StopGamerGate2014 hashtag that spurred massive backlash against the movement from writers, gaming industry veterans and celebrities last year.

Canada