Fact-check: WhatsApp NOT offering 1000 GB of free internet as a 10th-anniversary data gift

As the imposter website link claimed, WhatsApp is not offering 1000 GB of free internet as its 10th-anniversary data gift.

Writer: Rufina Isaac

A WhatsApp message being shared widely with a link claiming that WhatsApp is offering 1000 GB of free internet as a WhatsApp anniversary data gift is a hoax.

The message claims that WhatsApp is offering data gifts to celebrate its 10th anniversary, but WhatsApp’s 10th anniversary was celebrated in 2019.

“To celebrate our 10th anniversary we give 1000 GB of free internet. Check this Out, Free 50GB (All Networks) valid for 90 days in Celebration of WhatsApp Anniversary,” the message reads partially.

On clicking on this link,  will pop up and block the user from further accessing the website. 

      

 Screenshot of the anti-virus Kaspersky blocking device threat

Claim verification:

The WhatsApp message claims that the free data is being offered to celebrate WhatsApp’s 10th anniversary. However, the instant messaging application was founded in 2009 and celebrated its 10th anniversary in 2019.

211 Check investigated the link, scanning the URL using VirusTotal. This online tool analyses suspicious files, domains, IPs, and URLs to detect malware and other breaches. It automatically shares them with the security community to determine the safety of the link to online viruses and other scams. 

Nine security vendors flagged the URL as containing malicious and phishing content. 

Another scan was done through  Whois.com, a publicly available database containing domain name registration information. Searching both websites shows different results for the fake and original links.

                           

   screenshot of the fake URL of WhatsApp

Conclusion:

211 Check finds a WhatsApp message with a link claiming to be for WhatsApp, a hoax. Findings show that the link is embedded with phishing and malicious malware intended to steal people’s information and personnel data on the devices. Be cautious of such websites; using the official website, WhatsApp.com, is always advisable.

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

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