Fact-check: The University of Juba isn’t offering free online courses and certifications

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The University of Juba, through its official Facebook page, has said the advertisements are fake and urged the public to disregard them.

Writer: Makur Majeng

Recent Facebook advertisement posts that have been circulating claiming to offer free online courses with certification and laptops provided targeting individuals in South Sudan at the University of Juba are, however, false and misleading.

“Latest policies: Enjoy benefits, explore professional online courses, and earn recognised certificates,” reads part of the Facebook advertisement. 

The posts promise a free college degree and a 1-month online course at the University of Juba, a renowned educational institution in South Sudan. 

Upon clicking the link in the Facebook ad, users are redirected to a website that shows relevant searches.

The screenshots of the Facebook ads post

Claim Verification:

211 Check conducted a keyword search based on the claims made in the advertisement posts. Still, the results did not show any credible sources regarding a subsidy or program offering free online courses and certification at the University of Juba.

We contacted the University of Juba’s official Facebook page, but they dismissed the claims made in the Facebook ad post as bogus and fraudulent.

“Please be aware of the bogus links that appear to impersonate the University of Juba. We do not offer any online certifications or train for online college degrees. Do not open those links; else, you will be misled,” reads the post on the University of Juba’s Official Facebook page. 

The screenshot of the University of Juba Facebook post disregarding the claim

Google Chrome browser flagged the website promoted in the ad post as unsecured, which cast further doubt on the resources behind the offer and the ad’s intention.

A WHOIS domain search revealed that the website was registered only on 23rd January 2024 and did not demonstrate affiliation with the University of Juba or its official education offerings.

A screenshot of the Whois information of the impostor domain

Conclusion:

211 Check finds the claim made in numerous Facebook advertisements posted about free online courses with certificates and free laptops in South Sudan false. The University of Juba explicitly stated that they do not offer any online certifications or training for online college degrees, contradicting the claim made in the advertisements.

A publication under 211 Check’s ‘Fact-Check for a Pay’ Initiative with support from the International Fact-Checking Network through the BUILD grant.

To ensure accuracy and transparency, we at 211 Check welcome corrections from our readers. If you spot an error in this article, please request a correction using this form. Our team will review your request and make the necessary corrections immediately, if any.

It’s vital to fight misinformation and disinformation in the media by avoiding fake news. Don’t share content you’re uncertain about. False information can harm and mislead people, risking their lives—Fact-check before sharing. For more details, visit https://211check.org/ or message us on WhatsApp at +211 921 350 435. #FactsMatter

Fact-check: South Sudan’s Finance Ministry hasn’t signed an AfDB and UNESCO agreement to support businesses

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The ad is a hoax and scam being peddled on a fake Facebook page impersonating the Minister of Finance, Bak Barnaba Chol.

Writer: Ochaya Jackson

A Facebook page bearing the name of the Minister of Finance and Planning, Bak Barnaba Chol, which posted a statement about funding opportunities for small and medium business enterprises (SMEs) in South Sudan, is a hoax.

The page, in its statement, claimed that the Ministry of Finance and Planning signed an 11 million dollar agreement with the African Development Bank (AfDB) and UNESCO to provide support for business owners, companies, and organisations.

“We are therefore calling upon all eligible business owners, companies, and organisations to apply for this funding opportunity under the Investing in [the] diversified economy-led growth model,” reads a statement posted on Facebook bearing the name Dr Bak Barnaba Chol on January, 28th 2024 with a link attached for the applicants to apply for the funding opportunity.

Screenshot of the Facebook page claim.

Claim Verification:

211 Check reviewed the Facebook page’s transparency, but it turned out that the page was created on January 27th 2024, and had only 109 likes and 359 followers during the review, which raised suspicion of a fake account since it is new.

The screenshot of the page transparency

The Google form link attached with the statement for the application process collects personal information of the applicants (name, contacts, address, occupation), business or organisation entity name and type, number of employees, and the amount of the fund which is maximally limited at 500,000USD including other information to be filled before applying.

Screenshot of the Google form

The Ministry of Finance and Planning, in a statement it published on its Facebook page on January 28th 2024, debunked the claim as a scam and fake account impersonating the Minister of Finance, Dr Bak Barnaba Chol.

“This is to inform the general public and social media users in particular to be cautious of unscrupulous scammers using the name of the Honorable Minister of Finance and Planning, Dr. Bak Barnaba Chol, to scam unsuspecting Facebook subscribers,” reads part of the statement the Ministry shared to the public on its Facebook page.

“It should be noted that all formal communications from the Ministry of Finance and Planning are either published on the official website or posted here on this official Facebook Page,” it added.

The screenshot of the Ministry of Finance statement debunking the claim as a scam and fake

211 Check contacted the African Development Bank (AfDB) South Sudan country’s office Manager and UNESCO’s Juba office for comments via email, but the efforts were unsuccessful.

Conclusion:

211 Check finds a post soliciting applications on a Facebook page impersonating the Minister of Finance and Planning, Bak Barnaba Chol, a hoax. No public record shows the Ministry of Finance and Planning has signed an 11 million dollar agreement with the African Development Bank and UNESCO to support Small and Medium Enterprises business owners in South Sudan.

The AfDB and UNESCO websites do not show any agreement of 11 million dollars signed with the Ministry of Finance and Planning of South Sudan to support business and organisation entities.

A publication under 211 Check’s ‘Fact-Check for a Pay’ Initiative with support from the International Fact-Checking Network through the BUILD grant.

To ensure accuracy and transparency, we at 211 Check welcome corrections from our readers. If you spot an error in this article, please request a correction using this form. Our team will review your request and make the necessary corrections immediately, if any.


It’s vital to fight misinformation and disinformation in the media by avoiding fake news. Don’t share content you’re uncertain about. False information can harm and mislead people, risking their lives—Fact-check before sharing. For more details, visit https://211check.org/ or message us on WhatsApp at +211 921 350 435. #FactsMatter

Fact-check: South Sudan’s Ministry of Trade and Industry not offering opportunities to entrepreneurs

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The Facebook page alleging that South Sudan’s Ministry of Trade and Industry offers entrepreneurs opportunities is an impersonator trying to scam unsuspecting individuals.

Writer: Jibi Moses

A Facebook page using the Ministry of Trade and Industry – Republic of South Sudan name claiming to give opportunities to South Sudanese entrepreneurs is a hoax.

The Facebook page, which has 34 likes and 265 followers and describes itself as a government organisation without any review, uses the Minister of Trade and Industry – South Sudan’s pictures (William Anyoun Kuol) and pictures of other diplomats in the country, including the one for President Salva Kiir Mayardit.  

Apart from using the above, the last post on the page is a call for funding allegedly by the Ministry with support from the World Bank to all entrepreneurs and SMEs in the country. They claim the project aims to support all entrepreneurs. This is accessed through a form attached to a link. 

The link has a basic Google form titled “Citizen Economic Empowerment Program” that requires one to enter his/her basic information, including why you need the fund. The logos of the World Bank and entrepreneurs’ organisations are at the end of the form.

Screenshots of the call for the application and a copy of some of the responses.

Claim Verification:

A keyword search on Facebook of the Ministry of Trade and Industry -South Sudan returned two Facebook pages with the same names.

The first page, Ministry of Trade and Industry – Republic of South Sudan, which is the genuine page, pops up first with 2.5k likes and 2.6k followers. It describes itself as a government organisation with its contact details and location. This page was created on December 23, 2023, with the first name being the Ministry of Trade and Industry for the Republic of South Sudan, before changing it to the current one on December 28, 2023.

The page also put a disclaimer on January 23, 2024, distancing itself from the advertised ongoing funding opportunity, calling it fake and a scam.

On the other hand, the scam page was created on January 20, 2024, with 34 likes and 265 followers.

Scammers often use similar forms to collect personal information from unsuspecting people for their interest and use; some use the same information for hacking, while others will go to the extra stage of selling the data. 

The screenshot of the post by the genuine Facebook Page of the Ministry

Conclusion:

211 Check finds the Facebook page impersonating the Ministry of Trade and Industry – Republic of South Sudan and calling entrepreneurs and companies to apply for funds a hoax. The official Ministry’s page has distanced itself from it and warned the public against the new page created with unknown intentions. 

To ensure accuracy and transparency, we at 211 Check welcome corrections from our readers. If you spot an error in this article, please request a correction using this form. Our team will review your request and make the necessary corrections immediately, if any.

It’s vital to fight misinformation and disinformation in the media by avoiding fake news. Don’t share content you’re uncertain about. False information can harm and mislead people, risking their lives—Fact-check before sharing. For more details, visit https://211check.org/ or message us on WhatsApp at +211 921 350 435. #FactsMatter

The National Communication Authority has not recruited 225 applicants211 Check

Fact-check: The National Communication Authority has not recruited 225 applicants

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The 225 applicants have passed both written and oral interviews. They are now awaiting ‘screening’, a final stage that will see 87 of them recruited by the National Communication Authority.

Writer: Emmanuel Bida Thomas

A recent report by The City Review, a Juba-based English daily newspaper in South Sudan, claimed that the National Communication Authority had recruited 225 applicants for different positions, which is misleading.

“The National Communication Authority said it has recruited 225 applicants out of the 3000 candidates interviewed for various positions last year,” reads the claim published on January 20, 2024.

According to the same news report, which claims that 225 applicants were recruited, only 87 vacancies were advertised by the National Communication Authority.

A November 3, 2023, news report by City Review also confirms that the National Communication Authority (NCA) had advertised for 87 vacancies.

A screenshot of a section of the news report published on City Review’s website

So, have 225 applicants been recruited by the National Communications Authority? We checked

Claim Verification:

Madut Akol Nhial, the Managing Director of Bridge Employment Solutions, said in an Eye Radio news report that out of all the candidates interviewed, only 225 passed the oral interview, and they will be subjected to a second screening.

Bridge Employment Solutions is the company contracted to conduct the hiring process on behalf of the National Communications Authority. It said that 225 of the over 3,000 candidates who did an oral interview for vacant positions at the institution have made it to the final stage.

Jervase, a public relations officer at the National Communications Authority, told 211 Check when contacted via WhatsApp that the results of the forthcoming interview would determine the 87 finalists who would be recruited.

“225 passed previous interviews and will be put through the final one. From the results, 87 will be selected because of the advertised vacancies that were 87 in the beginning,” Jervase said.

Conclusion:

211 Check finds the claim that the National Communication Authority has recruited 225 applicants misleading. The 225 of the over 3,000 candidates who have made it to the final stage will see 87 recruited, according to both Bridge Employment Solutions and the National Communications Authority.

To ensure accuracy and transparency, we at 211 Check welcome corrections from our readers. If you spot an error in this article, please request a correction using this form. Our team will review your request and make the necessary corrections immediately, if any.

It’s vital to fight misinformation and disinformation in the media by avoiding fake news. Don’t share content you’re uncertain about. False information can harm and mislead people, risking their lives—Fact-check before sharing. For more details, visit https://211check.org/ or message us on WhatsApp at +211 921 350 435. #FactsMatter

Fact-check: Juba is not one of the top five cleanest cities in East Africa

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There is no specific information about Juba being one of the cleanest cities in East Africa. 

Writer: Christopher Luate Obede

A Facebook post published by Radio Dabanga-211, featuring an image of a wet street, claiming that Juba is amongst the cleanest cities in East Africa, is unproven.

Radio Dabanga-211 is a Facebook page with over 8.2K likes and 18K followers. 

“Juba is amongst cleanest cities in East Africa. Juba, I love,” the post shared on January 13, 2024, briefly reads.

Screenshot of the Facebook post by Radio Dabanga-211

Claim Verification:

A Google keyword search for “Clean cities in East Africa” by 211 Check finds that the cleanest cities in East Africa, ranked by Top Ten Uganda, are Kigali, the largest capital city of Rwanda, and Nairobi, the capital of Kenya. Kigali has also been ranked by FURTHER AFRICA as the cleanest city on the African continent in 2022.

Google search for “Juba” only returns a result with an article published by LIKIS MEDIA with a lawmaker claiming that Juba is the world’s dirtiest city.

Image verification using Google Lens reverse image search returns several results. The image captioned is from Sudan in Photos, a Pinterest account that describes the image as “Rainy morning in Khartoum.” 

Bajnews first published the image on its website on July 21, 2018. It is a street in Madani, the capital of Al Jazirah State in east-central Sudan.

Conclusion:

211 Check finds the claim that Juba is among the cleanest cities in East Africa unproven. There is no specific information about Juba being one of the cleanest cities in East Africa. 

A publication under 211 Check’s ‘Fact-Check for a Pay’ Initiative with support from the International Fact-Checking Network through the BUILD grant.

To ensure accuracy and transparency, we at 211 Check welcome corrections from our readers. If you spot an error in this article, please request a correction using this form. Our team will review your request and make the necessary corrections immediately, if any.


It’s vital to fight misinformation and disinformation in the media by avoiding fake news. Don’t share content you’re uncertain about. False information can harm and mislead people, risking their lives—Fact-check before sharing. For more details, visit https://211check.org/ or message us on WhatsApp at +211 921 350 435. #FactsMatter

Dubai International Airport not Entebbe211 Check

Fact-check: This picture is of Dubai International Airport, not Entebbe

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The picture making rounds on social media is not of Entebbe International Airport (EBB) but that of Dubai International Airport (DXB)

Writer: Jibi Moses

An image allegedly of the interior of Entebbe International Airport posted by an X (Formerly Twitter) user on January 18, 2024, is false.

“The interior of #Entebbe International Airport,” reads the image caption, which has since attracted 2,058 views, 7 reposts, six comments, and 40 likes at this publication. 

Entebbe International Airport lies astride the equator at latitude 00.020 North and longitude 320 East located 40 kilometers southwest of Kampala City, Uganda’s capital, according to the Uganda Civil Aviation Authority.

Screenshots of the post by X user and some of the comments.

Other searches show that the same image was used by another social media user on Facebook with the caption, “Inside view of “Entebbe” International Airport.”

Claim Verification:

211 Check carried out a Google reverse Image Search on the picture, and it got several results showing the image as that of Dubai International Airport.

Other search engines, such as Microsoft Bing, Baidu, Google, and Yandex, all show the image in different instances, as that of Dubai International Airport. 

The image is also among a collection of images by Alamy, titled Dubai International Airport Air Hub captioned, “A picture taken on August 21, 2017, in the airport of Dubai, UAE,“

The screen of the image as it appears on the Alamy website in 2017.

Dubai International Airport:

According to Google Maps, Dubai International Airport is a four-star airport located in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, in the Middle East—an intercontinental hub for the UAE with a purpose-built jet airliner facility concourse.

The same picture of the airport was uploaded to Google Maps by Ibrahim Falqi in December 2022.

Some sources that used the image with reference to Dubai International Airport are here, here, and here, among others.

A screenshot of the picture as it appears on Google Maps (photos) 

Entebbe International Airport:

According to the country’s civil aviation authority, Entebbe International Airport is Uganda’s only international airport located about 6 kilometres southwest of Entebbe, on the northern shores of Lake Victoria.

In 2022, the Government of Uganda gave the National Army’s (UPDF) engineering brigade contract to renovate and upgrade the airport. Some links to the articles that published stories for the renovation are here, here, here, and here.

On Wednesday, January 10, 2024, the renovated terminal was opened to the public ahead of the  NAM summit, which is happening in Uganda, which means an increase in the number of arrivals.

Many Ugandan news outlets reported this and shared the images as 1, 2, and 3, among others.

A screenshot of a section of the renovated Entebbe International Airport, as reported by the Daily Monitor.

A screenshot of Entebbe International Airport as reported by the New Vision.

Conclusion:

211 Check has found that the picture posted on Facebook and X (formerly Twitter) allegedly of Entebbe International Airport is false. 

The picture shows Dubai International Airport from the Middle Eastern country of the United Arab Emirates taken on August 21, 2017, according to Alamy, a playground for creatives looking for fresh and inclusive content.

To ensure accuracy and transparency, we at 211 Check welcome corrections from our readers. If you spot an error in this article, please request a correction using this form. Our team will review your request and make the necessary corrections immediately, if any.

It’s vital to fight misinformation and disinformation in the media by avoiding fake news. Don’t share content you’re uncertain about. False information can harm and mislead people, risking their lives—Fact-check before sharing. For more details, visit https://211check.org/ or message us on WhatsApp at +211 917 298 255. #FactsMatter

Fact-check: South Sudan isn’t the richest African country211 Check

Fact-check: South Sudan isn’t the richest African country

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South Sudan ranks low in natural resources compared to other African countries.

Writer: Christopher Luate Obede

A Facebook post published by Radio Dabanga-211, featuring an image of a sunflower field, claiming that South Sudan is the richest country in Africa in terms of resources, is false.

Radio Dabanga-211 is a Facebook page with over 8.2K likes and 18K followers. 

“Renk county-South Sudan, South Sudan, is the richest country in Africa in terms of resources,” it briefly reads in its post shared on January 15, 2024.

Screenshot of the Facebook post by Radio Dabanga-211

Claim Verification:

A Google keyword search by 211 Check finds that the richest African countries ranked by wisevoter, a platform that provides citizens, voters, and elected officials with the information, insights, and tools that amplify democracy in the modern age place Seychelles and Mauritius as the top richest countries in Africa in terms of GNI per capita. The figures are based on the latest IMF and World Bank data.

Other sources like here and here say Nigeria is the richest country in Africa in 2023 by Gross Domestic Product (GDP), the total value of goods and services produced in a country within a given period.

Google search for “South Sudan” only returns a result ranked by  The World Bank as the 54th African country that gained independence on July 9, 2011.

According to the Legatum Prosperity Index 2023, South Sudan is 167th among 167 countries. In terms of GDP, Statista forecasts South Sudan’s GDP in 2028 to be $9.05 billion.

Image verification using a Google Lens reverse image search returns several results. The image of the sunflower garden was first posted on X (formerly Twitter) by a user, @moe_abu3agla. It is of a farm in Basinda locality – Gedaref State, Sudan.

Conclusion:

211 Check finds the claim that South Sudan is the richest country in Africa false. South Sudan ranks low in natural resources compared to other African countries, according to International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Bank Group data.

A publication under 211 Check’s ‘Fact-Check for a Pay’ Initiative with support from the International Fact-Checking Network through the BUILD grant.

To ensure accuracy and transparency, we at 211 Check welcome corrections from our readers. If you spot an error in this article, please request a correction using this form. Our team will review your request and make the necessary corrections immediately, if any.

It’s vital to fight misinformation and disinformation in the media by avoiding fake news. Don’t share content you’re uncertain about. False information can harm and mislead people, risking their lives—Fact-check before sharing. For more details, visit https://211check.org/ or message us on WhatsApp at +211 917 298 255. #FactsMatter

Fact-check: Is the U.S. offering visa sponsorship jobs in 2024? 

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No, the visa sponsorship jobs in the United States in 2024 are a hoax. The website link in the WhatsApp message is not legitimate and is flagged as malicious by VirusTotal. 

Writer: Makur Majeng

A viral WhatsApp message claims that the United States is opening its doors to over 295,000 individuals, offering a life-changing opportunity to work and live in the US with all expenses covered, but this is a hoax. 

It provides a link to apply. “The United States is opening its doors to over 295,000 individuals,” the WhatsApp message reads in part. 

A screenshot of the claim on WhatsApp.

Upon clicking the link, an applicant is prompted to submit personal information and is led through multiple steps, including sharing the opportunity with 15 friends or five WhatsApp groups to proceed with the application.

The screenshot of the WhatsApp link web pages

A screenshot of the WhatsApp link web pages

Claim Verification:

A Google keyword search shows no verifiable evidence of the advertised opportunity, indicating a lack of credible support for the claim.

The website domain thryt.com has been flagged as malicious by the virustotal malware detection service, which raises concerns about its credibility and legitimacy.

A whois domain search indicates that the alleged website domain was created on March 13, 2023, and expires on March 13, 2024. The short duration of the website’s existence raises concerns about its legitimacy and further suggests that it may not be a trustworthy source for immigration or job opportunities.

The screenshot of the alleged website on whois domain information

Furthermore, the website prompts users to share the alleged opportunity with others to proceed with the application process. This is a common tactic used in potential scams and phishing attempts aimed at collecting personal information for fraudulent purposes. 

Therefore, individuals should be wary of such tactics and verify the authenticity of immigration or job opportunities through official and reputable channels, such as the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) website.

Conclusion

211 Check finds the claim in a WhatsApp message alleging that the United States offering a life-changing opportunity with all expenses covered through a linked website a hoax.

The website has been flagged as malicious and has a short duration, which raises concerns about its legitimacy.

A publication under 211 Check’s ‘Fact-check for a pay’ Initiative with Support from the International Fact-checking Network through the BUILD grant.

To ensure accuracy and transparency, we at 211 Check welcome corrections from our readers. If you spot an error in this article, please request a correction using this form. Our team will review your request and make the necessary corrections immediately, if any.


It’s vital to fight misinformation and disinformation in the media by avoiding fake news. Don’t share content you’re uncertain about. False information can harm and mislead people, risking their lives—Fact-check before sharing. For more details, visit https://211check.org/ or message us on WhatsApp at +211 917 298 255. #FactsMatters.

Fact-check: Did the Pope baptise and feed dogs with the Holy Communion? 

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No, the pictures were collected from different locations, one of which was altered, and the others were blessed for the owners’ happiness and fulfilling the practice of honouring St. Francis of Assisi.

Writer: Jibi Moses 

Pictures making rounds on the internet claiming the Pope baptised and fed dogs with the holy communion are false. The images have been digitally altered.

On January 12, 2024, a Facebook page posted four pictures, two of which featured the Pope, while the other two were of other religious leaders. All the pictures had at least a dog or dogs in them.

The post went with a heading: “Dogs were baptised and given Holy communion by the “Holy fathers” Copied.”

The screenshot of the images, as posted by Zion Amarachi

The post attracted 22 reactions, 49 comments, and 22 shares in 48 hours. Another Facebook user who shared the post is seen here. 

Did the Pope baptise and feed dogs with the Holy Communion? 211 Check finds out:

Claim Verification:

211 Check investigated each image separately, and these are the results.

Image 1:

On running Reverse Image Search, Yandex brought results with several posts that had previously used the image, with the pope serving a small boy with holy communion instead of a dog. 

Tineye, another online tool for reverse image search, had links to similar images.

La Luce Di Maria, a registered newspaper in Rome publishing mainly religious content, published an article in 2019 with the title: Communion under both species: what theology says.

The screenshot of the article that used the original image and credited GettyImages.

However, in the article, we traced its origin to Getty Images. In the Getty Images files, the picture was taken by Andreas Solano on May 6, 2019. 

Image 2:

Yandex results show instances where the images were used before. Quest France published an article on October 8, 2023, titled, “IN IMAGES, IN PICTURES. In Honfleur, the priest blesses 300 animals for the happiness of their owners.”

“The famous blessing of the animals, organised by the Notre Dame de l’Estuaire parish this Sunday, October 8, 2023, was once again a success. For this 9th edition, around 250 owners took over the Sainte-Catherine church in Honfleur (Calvados) accompanied by their dogs, and cats… but not only that!” reads the publication which featured several other pictures.

A screenshot of an article that featured the image posted by Quest France 

                                   The exact image as used by Quest France

Image 3:

Google Reverse Image Search shows that this image was used before by several publishers at different times, some as early as 2016.

Bing, TinEye, and Yandex searches returned results with the same picture. ABC News, on June 8, 2016, published an article with the heading Pope Meets With Search and Rescue Dogs in St Peter’s Square. Trainers presented Pope Francis with a red T-shirt from the lifeguard school. 

Other sources that shared the same picture are seen here, here, and here. 

                      The screen of the image, as used by ABC News on June 8, 2016

Image 4:

Google Image Reverse Search shows that the image was taken in Ecuador during the sixth time that a mass has been celebrated at the Saint-Martin d’Escaudain church to bless the animals. According to the Catholic religion, it takes place as part of Saint Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of animals.

Lavoix Du Nord published stories, among which the picture was used in one of them. The story had the title Escaudain: Animal friends came to bless their companions on October 17, 2021.

Screenshot of the image in the story posted by LaVaix Du Nord on October 17, 2021

Conclusion:

211 Check has found the claim that the Pope blessed and fed dogs with holy communion to be false. These pictures were collected from different locations, one of which was digitally altered, and the others were when some church leaders blessed animals for the happiness of the owners and partly the practice of St. Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of Animals according to the Catholic religion.

A publication under 211 Check’s ‘Fact-check for a pay’ Initiative with Support from the International Fact-checking Network through the BUILD grant.

To ensure accuracy and transparency, we at 211 Check welcome corrections from our readers. If you spot an error in this article, please request a correction using this form. Our team will review your request and make the necessary corrections immediately, if any.


It’s vital to fight misinformation and disinformation in the media by avoiding fake news. Don’t share content you’re uncertain about. False information can harm and mislead people, risking their lives—Fact-check before sharing. For more details, visit https://211check.org/ or message us on WhatsApp at +211 917 298 255. #FactsMatters. 

Fact-check: African Women Innovation and Entrepreneurship Forum 2024 WhatsApp hoax

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The organisation has said that the WhatsApp message with a website link claiming to advertise the African Women Innovation and Entrepreneurship Forum 2024 is a scam.

Writer: Makur Majeng

A WhatsApp message widely shared in groups and private chats claiming to offer grants to African women for innovation and entrepreneurship is a hoax.

“Payments have just started for all applicants. Register to be one of the beneficiaries.

Strictly for students and business owners,” the WhatsApp message partly reads.

The website prompts users to fill out an application form and share the link with friends or groups on WhatsApp, causing a stir among potential applicants.

Screenshot of the viral WhatsApp message 

The website then asks users to enter personal information, such as gender, name, phone number, country, and region/state/county. After submitting this information, users are told that their application has been received and are asked to click “CHECK” to confirm whether they can receive funds. The website also claims that the number of applicants is limited.

The screenshot of its web pages

Upon clicking “CHECK,” users must validate their name, choose a purpose, whether a student or a business owner and provide their current educational level. After completing this step, users are prompted that their application has been approved to receive the grant and are shown guidelines on how to proceed. The guidelines ask individuals to share information about the program with 15 friends or five groups on WhatsApp.

Claim Verification:

211 Check has found out that the website in question is not affiliated with the African Women Innovation and Entrepreneurship Forum (AWIEF), as it claims to be. The official AWIEF website has no information about a 2024 empowerment grant and has warned about scammers using its name for fraud.

“We have received reports of a scam message being circulated about an AWIEF “Grant”. Please be aware that this is not in any way a communication from AWIEF. Kindly refrain from acting on, disclosing information or forwarding the message,” AWIEF said in a statement shared on its website.

The website has also been flagged as malicious by Virustotal, indicating that it could be a phishing attempt. 

The request to share the information with WhatsApp is an example of engagement bait, a technique used to manipulate social media users.

The WHOIS information for the purported website shows that it was registered on September 3, 2023, in Arizona, United States (abbreviated as US) and will expire on September 3, 2024.

Screenshot showing Whois information of the impostor website

On the other hand, the WHOIS information on the AWIEF website reveals that its domain was registered on August 5, 2015, and will expire on August 5, 2024.

Screenshot showing Whois information on the AWIEF website

It has also been fact-checked by AfricaCheck here.

Conclusion:

211 Check finds a viral WhatsApp message claiming that the African Women Innovation and Entrepreneurship Forum is offering a 2024 Empowerment Grant a hoax. The official organisation, AWIEF, has warned about fraudulent activities and has cautioned individuals to refrain from sharing personal information or forwarding such messages.

A publication under 211 Check’s ‘Fact-check for a pay’ Initiative with Support from the International Fact-checking Network through the BUILD grant.

To ensure accuracy and transparency, we at 211 Check welcome corrections from our readers. If you spot an error in this article, please request a correction using this form. Our team will review your request and make the necessary corrections immediately, if any.
It’s vital to fight misinformation and disinformation in the media by avoiding fake news. Don’t share content you’re uncertain about. False information can harm and mislead people, risking their lives—Fact-check before sharing. For more details, visit https://211check.org/ or message us on WhatsApp at +211 917 298 255. #FactsMatters.