Could it be that the Hungarian tax authority (NAV) has just seized the money of the “golden-toilet” Ukrainian war mafia? A shady group is running Ukraine, and they want to drag us into the war as well!
A former Ukrainian intelligence officer and his colleagues were driving armored vehicles and transporting 40 million dollars, 35 million euros, and 9 kg of gold from Austria through Hungary toward Ukraine.
Could this be the money of the “golden-toilet” Ukrainian war mafia?
That’s it. That’s the story.
The text is a classic political propaganda post that combines several manipulation and rhetorical techniques. Its goal is not to present information accurately, but to provoke suspicion, outrage, and distrust toward Ukraine while constructing a simple political narrative.
The simplified narrative of the message:
➡️ Ukraine = a corrupt state controlled by mafia-like actors
➡️ Hungary = in danger
➡️ War = external forces are trying to drag us into it
Below are the main propaganda techniques used in the text.
🎭 Propaganda and Manipulation Techniques in the Text
1️⃣ Suggestive Question (Insinuation)
Excerpt
“Could it be that the Hungarian tax authority (NAV) seized the money of the golden-toilet Ukrainian war mafia??”
Technique
👉 insinuation without evidence
Goal
To suggest a claim that does not have to be proven.
Effect
Readers may start to think it really could be the money of a Ukrainian “war mafia,” even though no evidence is presented.
2️⃣ Creating an Enemy Image
Excerpt
“A shady group is running Ukraine.”
Technique
👉 demonization / enemy-image construction
Goal
To criminalize the leadership of an entire country.
Effect
Readers may begin to perceive Ukraine not as a partner or ally, but as a threatening and corrupt actor.
3️⃣ Criminal Framing
Excerpt
“war mafia”, “shady group”
Technique
👉 criminalizing labels
Goal
To frame political or geopolitical actors as criminals.
Effect
The conflict may appear to readers as a “mafia operation” rather than a political or military conflict.
4️⃣ Fear-Mongering
Excerpt
“They want to drag us into the war.”
Technique
👉 strengthening a sense of threat
Goal
To create the feeling that Hungary is in direct danger.
Effect
Fear can increase political mobilization and strengthen “defensive” narratives.
5️⃣ Use of Striking Numbers
Excerpt
“40 million dollars, 35 million euros and 9 kg of gold”
Technique
👉 magnitude shock / persuasive use of numbers
Goal
To make the story appear dramatic and significant.
Effect
Readers may be more likely to believe a conspiracy-like narrative when precise numbers are presented.
6️⃣ Conspiracy Narrative
Excerpt
“They are transporting the money in armored vehicles from Austria through Hungary to Ukraine.”
Technique
👉 secret network narrative
Goal
To present the story as a hidden operation taking place behind the scenes.
Effect
Readers may feel that “something big” is happening secretly and that the official media is hiding it.
7️⃣ Repetition (Propaganda Reinforcement)
Excerpt
“golden-toilet Ukrainian war mafia money”
Technique
👉 repetition of key phrases
Goal
To reinforce a negative image in the reader’s mind.
Effect
Constant repetition can make a claim feel familiar, which psychologically increases the sense that it might be true.
📊 Strategic Goal of the Communication
The post tries to trigger three main emotional reactions:
1️⃣ Outrage – “mafia money”
2️⃣ Fear – “they want to drag us into the war”
3️⃣ Distrust – “a shady group runs Ukraine”
Together these reactions lead to a simple political conclusion:
➡️ Ukraine is dangerous and corrupt
➡️ Hungary must defend itself