A Facebook post with an image purporting to show Juba, South Sudan, is false.
The image, which shows an urban location with tall buildings, was posted by a Facebook page, Ruweng Eye, on 9 October 2023 with a post that read: ‘Somewhere in Juba, South Sudan.’
The post attracted several comments with differing opinions on where the image was taken, prompting 211 Check to investigate.
211 Check carried out a reverse search on the picture using Google Lens, which returned several instances where the image has been shared as being of Nairobi, Kenya.
For instance, in February 2021, the image was featured in an article by developingtelecoms.com titled: “Opera Pilots dedicated chat service in Kenya.”
Similarly, in July 2020, Ghana Medicals shared the same picture with a headline: “Things are elephant: the effects on COVID-19 in Nairobi low-income areas.”
A screenshot from the website of Ghana Medicals.
The image has also been shared here, here and here on articles referencing Nairobi, Kenya.
Nairobi is Kenya’s political and economic capital and also the largest city. The name ‘Nairobi’ comes from the Maasai phrase’ Enkare Nyrobi’, which translates to ‘cool water.’
Juba, on the other hand, is one of the world’s newest cities and became South Sudan’s capital when the nation became independent on July 9, 2011. Juba is located on the white Nile River and is the largest city in South Sudan.
Conclusion:
211 Check finds the post false and misleading. The picture is of Nairobi, Kenya and not Juba, South Sudan.
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, visithttps://211check.org/or message us on WhatsApp at +211 917 298 255. #FactsMatter.
https://211check.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/The-photo-is-of-Nairobi-Kenya.png6281200211 Checkhttps://211check.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/211Check_logo-1-300x120.png211 Check2023-10-26 08:33:312023-10-27 12:00:19Fact-check: Is this a photo of Juba, South Sudan?
The original image dates back to 2010 and doesn’t feature the Palestine flag.
Writer: PesaCheck
This image on Facebook, purportedly of the Cairo Tower in Egypt displaying the Palestine flag, is ALTERED.
The image is accompanied by a text that reads, “Cairo Tower is decorated with the Palestinian flag. Here is Cairo,, here is Palestine.”
The claim was shared amid ongoing armed conflict between Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas, which broke out on 7 October 2023.
A Google search for the keywords “Cairo Tower images” established the image in question was altered.
The original image is available on Wikimedia Commons with the description, “Cairo Tower at Night.”
It was uploaded on 3 February 2010 and is attributed to Ahmed Santos.
A side by side comparison of the altered image and the original one reveals similarities between the two, including the moon’s shape and position. The background colour of the sky and the outline of the trees at the bottom are other similarities.
The original image is also available on the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat (CTBUH) website alongside other images of Cairo Tower, and is attributed to Santos.
There are no reports from a credible source of the Cairo Tower displaying the Palestine flag in the wake of the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict.
PesaCheck has looked into an image shared on Facebook purportedly of the Cairo Tower in Egypt displaying the Palestine flag, and finds it to be ALTERED.
This post is part of an ongoing series of PesaCheck fact-checks examining content marked as potential misinformation on Facebook and other social media platforms.
https://211check.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/ALTERED-This-image-purportedly-of-Bill-Gates-under-armed-watch.png342679211 Checkhttps://211check.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/211Check_logo-1-300x120.png211 Check2023-10-25 13:28:302023-10-27 11:26:58ALTERED: This image of Cairo Tower in Egypt displaying the Palestine flag is manipulated
The vaccine by the University of Queensland (UQ) in Australia was never rolled out, as the project was abandoned in December 2020.
Writer: PesaCheck
This Facebook post with a video claiming a tiny fragment of HIV was added to a COVID-19 vaccine is MISSING CONTEXT.
The post reads, “A tiny fragment of HIV” added to vaccine.”
The video begins with the narrator saying: “Science gone absolutely mad,” while text overlaid on the 44-second clip reads: “Did she just say they added a tiny fragment of hiv? Wtf! We want answers!!! Yes she said HIV.”
Another Facebook post with a screenshot from the video reads, “So whose had the covid jab bet u didn’t now this , wtf (sic)”.
A reverse image search of a screenshot from the video on Yandex established that the person featured at the end of the clip is Keith Chappell, a professor at the University of Queensland (UQ) in Australia, during a BBCinterview.
In the clip, Chappel says that the protein used is of “a highly stable structure” and that there is no risk of “HIV replicating”.
A Google keyword search for “covid vaccine with HIV fragment” established that the UQ and global biotech company CSL were developing a vaccine that included a fragment of an HIV protein with the view of adding stability to the intended antibody target; the spike protein of the pandemic coronavirus SARS-CoV-2.
However, the claim in question leaves out crucial information on the vaccine.
Testing of participants in phase 1 of the trials in July 2020 did not find any evidence of the HIV virus present, and thus participants were not at risk.
Further, the UQ vaccine was abandoned in December 2020 after some trial participants returned false-positive results for HIV. For this reason, the vaccine was not rolled out for use by the general public.
PesaCheck has looked into a Facebook post with a video claiming a tiny fragment of HIV was added to a COVID-19 vaccine and finds it to be MISSING CONTEXT.
This post is part of an ongoing series of PesaCheck fact-checks examining content marked as potential misinformation on Facebook and other social media platforms.
https://211check.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/ALTERED-This-image-purportedly-of-Bill-Gates-under-armed-watch.png342679211 Checkhttps://211check.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/211Check_logo-1-300x120.png211 Check2023-10-24 13:16:212023-10-25 13:20:48MISSING CONTEXT: This video claiming a tiny fragment of HIV was added to a COVID-19 vaccine has been misrepresented
No, it is a hoax. WFP is not giving out any cash transfers, as an impostor website claims.
Writer: Rufina Isaac
WhatsApp messages claiming the World Food Programme (WFP) is giving cash assistance are a hoax.
The link claims to be from the World Food Programme and provides cash assistance through a questionnaire, after which one will get up to $800.00.
Screenshot of the link being circulated on WhatsApp
On clicking the link, a congratulations message appears with a picture of a man who is seen to be handing a woman some papers. This is the beginning of the questionnaire, though, whereby they ask whether you know WFP, your age bracket, gender, and how you feel about WFP.
At this point, a congratulatory message opens with nine boxes where you are meant to choose one lucky boc with the price. After all this, you are meant to share it with five groups or 20 people.
Screenshot of the webpage for the link solicited on WhatsApp
Claim Verification:
With all suspicion, 211 Check investigated the link, scanning the URL using online Virus Total. This free online tool helps you determine the safety of links to online viruses and other scams. Six security vendors flagged the URL as malicious,phishing, and suspicious.
Screenshot of the virus total of the claimed URL.
Another scan was run through Whois.com, a publicly available database containing domain name registration information. A search for both websites returns two different results, as seen here and here, the second being the genuine website for the World Food Programme.
Whois Information for the fake domain claiming to be WFPThe original WFP domain is wfp.org, which was registered in 1994. The original website of WFP Cash Transfers
Conclusion:
211 Check finds a WhatsApp message with a link claiming to be for the World Food Programme providing cash assistance through a questionnaire, a hoax.
Findings show that the link is embedded with phishing, malicious, and suspicious malware intended to steal people’s information for fraud. Be cautious of such websites and only apply for vacancies through the official website for organisations, in this case, wfp.org for the World Food Programme website.
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
https://211check.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/WFP-Impostor-Website.png6281200211 Checkhttps://211check.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/211Check_logo-1-300x120.png211 Check2023-10-23 11:37:202023-10-23 11:37:27Fact-check: Is the World Food Programme giving out $800,000 to organisations?
No, the picture has been digitally manipulated and is satirical.
Writer: Nancy Ceasar
An image of a flooded road with a car, a hippopotamus, a shark, and people on a boat shared on Facebook and claimed to be from Kampala has been altered.
The image was shared on September 11, 2023, with a post partly in Luganda that reads:
“In case you don’t know, this is Kampala after raining wetwogerako mbu tribalism (when we talk about something, they say it’s tribalism).”
The post attracted 600 likes, 306 comments, and 68 shares.
Screenshot of the picture posted
The premise of the statement appears to be the recent Kampala floods and Uganda’s recent politics that are marred with accusations and counter-accusations from the government and the opposition, especially the National Unity Platform (NUP), accusing each other of being tribalistic, as seen here, here and here.
211 Check investigated the picture using Google lens reverse search, which brought the original picture as previously posted on X (formerly Twitter).
The original picture, shared by Daily Monitor on 11th September 2023, shows the car driving through a flooded road. The picture was accompanied by a post that reads: “Motorists wade through a flooded section of 7th street in Kampala industrial area after the Monday morning downpour.”
Screenshot of the picture from X [ formerly known as Twitter]of Daily Monitor.
From the photo, it is clear that the other elements in the photo were digitally added to advance a particular context.
Further,sharks typically live in oceans to a depth of 2000 metres but can go lower.
On the other hand, hippopotamus live in rivers and lakes throughout sub-Saharan Africa. They seek refuge from the heat by living in water during the day, and at night they come to the shore to feed on grass and fallen fruits. It is, therefore, unlikely that they would be found in such a scenario.
A further review using ‘Image Edited?’ also revealed that the image under verification had probably been edited as the pixels only matched software editors.
Kampala floods:
Uganda’s capital, Kampala, has been experiencing recurrent floods after increased rains in areas around the Lake Victoria Basin. This has caused flooding in many parts of the city, as reported here, here and here.
According to Ugandan outlet New Vision, for September until December this year, the Uganda National Meteorological Authority said above normal (enhanced) rainfall is expected over several parts of Uganda, especially over the Lake Victoria Basin, the hilly areas of Rwenzori, and the Eastern region.
Conclusion:
The image of a flooded road with a hippopotamus, a shark, and people on a boat shared on Facebook and claimed to be from Kampala has been altered. Sharks and hippos only live in large water bodies.
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, visithttps://211check.org/or message us on WhatsApp at +211 917 298 255. #FactsMatter.
https://211check.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/The-picture-has-been-digitally-manipulated-and-is-satirical.png6281200211 Checkhttps://211check.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/211Check_logo-1-300x120.png211 Check2023-10-19 14:51:532023-11-16 15:18:47Fact-check: Is this image of a hippo and a shark on the road during Kampala’s recent floods legitimate?
No, this picture is of Marqala Beach in Tangier, Morocco.
Writer: Jibi Moses
A picture making rounds on Facebook and WhatsApp claiming to show a road section in Zimbabwe is false and misleading.
The picture was shared by a Facebook user on September 12, 2023, with an accompanying post that read: “The Zimbabwe they will not show you on social media. ”
It generated massive engagement from the public, with 59K reactions, 6,500 comments, and 4,000 shares. However, some comments criticised the post, saying that Zimbabwe is landlocked without an ocean. Others mentioned that the picture was of South Africa, and yet others, Morocco.
A screenshot of the post on Facebook
The picture was also shared in a WhatsApp group with a similar caption:
“This is how our cost line should look, and even better. From Entebbe Airport to Luzia Portbell (along Lake Victoria), the advantage of bordering the lake should come with improved infrastructure along its shores. This is Zimbabwe, which they do not show you in the news (sic).”
The screenshot of the claim as shared on the WhatsApp group
211 Check also found a Facebook post by Burundi Actu from 2020 bearing the same image. The post is in Kinyarwanda, which, when translated to English, means: “The picture shows how the #Bujumbura-#Rumonge road will be built in 2040. The construction has been completed #Burundi”
Claim Verification
211 Check ran a Google Reverse Image Search to verify the claim and found that the picture is of Marqala/Merkala Beach in Tangier, Morocco.
Among the results are various instances where the image has been attributed to Morocco, as seen in this Moroccan travel website. The image has also been used similarly to showcase tourist attractions in Tangier, Morocco, as seen here.
The beach can also be seen in this Youtube video whose title translates to: ‘My country’s beaches: Markala Beach, Tangier Ep:2 (plage markala).’
A search on Google Maps for the keywords ‘Marqala Tangier Beach, Morocco,’ clearly returns its location on the map in northern Morocco, with multiple pictures of the beach, where the image under scrutiny is also featured.
A screenshot of one of the views seen from Google Maps
A further search on Google Travel brings up more images of the beach taken from different angles and marked as Merkala/Marqala Beach in Tangier.
In addition, several other sites have shared the photo, attributing it to Morocco such as here,here, here, here and here.
Does Zimbabwe have beaches?
In the post, the author claims this beach is in Zimbabwe, a landlocked country. However, they did not mention the specific name of the place.
A Google word search of keywords: Does Zimbabwe have beaches? returned that there are a few beaches, but it has only one such expansive beach: Binga Beach, found on Lake Kariba. However, the pictures of the beach are different from the image under scrutiny.
Conclusion:
The picture making the rounds on Facebook and WhatsApp groups claiming it was taken in Zimbabwe is false. The picture is of Marqala Beach in Tangier, Morocco.
To ensure accuracy and transparency, we at211 Check welcome corrections from our readers. If you spot an error in this article, please request a correction usingthis 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, visithttps://211check.org/ or message us on WhatsApp at +211 917 298 255. #FactsMatter
https://211check.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/this-picture-is-of-Marqala-Beach-in-Tangier-Morocco.png6281200211 Checkhttps://211check.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/211Check_logo-1-300x120.png211 Check2023-10-17 07:23:362023-10-20 07:28:28Fact-check: Is this a beachside road in Zimbabwe?
The compound silver nitro oxide does not exist, and there is no proven evidence to show that the silver coating on recharge cards causes skin cancer.
Writer: Ochaya Jackson
A WhatsApp message being forwarded to groups claiming that doctors in the United States had found new cancer in human beings caused by silver nitro oxide is false.
The claim, which emphasises that people forward the message widely, also claims that recharge cards contain a silver nitro oxide coating, which can cause skin cancer.
“WhatsApp is free, so share it, please. Please read and forward this.
Doctors in the United States have found new cancer in human beings, caused by Silver Nitro Oxide. Whenever you buy recharge cards, don’t scratch your nails, as they contain Silver Nitro Oxide coating and can cause skin cancer. Share this message with your loved ones,” reads the WhatsApp message.
The screenshot of the WhatsApp claim
The same claim was also posted here (archived here) on October 3rd, 2023, and here (archived here) in 2021.
Further queries on Facebook about “Silver Nitro Oxide” returned that the claim was shared here and here years ago.
Claim Verification:
Akeyword search on Google using “Doctors in the United States have found new cancer in human beings” returned that the same claim was fact-checked by the AFP in 2020 and found to be false.
From the results, any information about discoveries does not mention any cancer caused by silver nitro oxide.
211 Check also found a report by The New Indian Express that debunked the same claim in 2016.
Again, a keyword search on Google for “Silver Nitro Oxide” returned another fact-check report that debunked the claim as a hoax.
Further, there is no chemical substance called “Silver Nitro Oxide,” according to PubChem and ChemSpider, which are databases for chemical information.
A study published in the National Library of Medicine in 2014 on recharge card coatings in Nigeria showed that silver coatings of major recharge cards contained high levels of heavy metals such as iron, zinc, copper, nickel cadmium, lead, silver, chromium, manganese.
However, the study noted that ‘despite the high concentration of the metals in the coating, the health risk index (HRI) indicated that the users of mobile phones recharge cards could only experience low health risk associated with these metals.
The study also noted that long-term exposure could be a source of worry. It recommended that regular washing of hands after scratching off coatings on the recharge cards should be practised to avoid food contamination.
Additionally, a 2018 study by the Research Journal of Pharmaceutical, Biological, and Chemical Sciences (RJPBCS) on heavy metals concentrations in mobile phone recharge cards in Iraq indicated high levels of heavy metals in recharge cards. The study recommended that blunt razor blades or any special scraper should be used instead of fingernails so as not to contaminate foods and drinks and avoid ingestion.
However, both studies did not link the compound used on scratch cards to skin cancer.
211 Check also contacted a Juba-based Medical Officer, Case Thomas Nicholas, who works with the German Leprosy Association, for comment. According to Nicholas, the claim is unfounded, and silver nitrooxide does not exist among carcinogenic substances.
“The claims about silver nitro oxide are wide off the mark. Such claims are unfounded and must be disregarded. The silver nitro oxide doesn’t exist as people say and it’s not related to any cancer cause. People talked of nitrous oxide and nitric oxide but none are found to cause any form of cancer. Just know that the list of carcinogenic substances doesn’t include silver nitro oxide because it [silver nitro oxide] doesn’t exist,” wrote Nicholas in response to the query.
Conclusion:
211 Check finds the claim that doctors in the United States found new cancer in human beings caused by silver nitro oxide is false. The compound silver nitro oxide does not exist, and there is no proven evidence to show that the silver coating on recharge cards causes skin cancer.
This fact check was published by 211 Check with technical support from Code for Africa’s PesaCheck newsdesk through the African Fact-Checking Alliance (AFCA).
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
https://211check.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Silver-Nitro-Oxide.png6281200211 Checkhttps://211check.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/211Check_logo-1-300x120.png211 Check2023-10-16 10:02:002023-11-16 15:20:52Fact-check: Did doctors in the U.S. find new cancer in human beings caused by silver nitro oxide?
No, the picture shows part of the Globe Cinema Roundabout on the road, joining Murang’a Road, Kipande Road and the Globe Flyover in Nairobi, Kenya.
Writer: Beatrice Amude Paulino
An image shared on Facebook purporting to show an overpass in South Sudan is false.
The image was posted on the Ruweng Eye page on September 30, 2023, and shows a road with a few cars along and a flyover, also known as an overpass. Multiple-storey buildings can also be seen in the background.
The post, which was captioned “Welcome to Juba, South Sudan”, attracted several comments, some with differing opinions, which prompted 211 Check to investigate.
A screenshot of the picture from the Ruweng Eye
Investigation:
A Google Reverse Image Search shows that this picture is of Nairobi, Kenya and has been used on various sites before.
On June 10, 2021, The Standard Media, a news outlet in Kenya, posted a picture of the overpass from a different angle. The image is captioned ‘An aerial view of Nairobi City from Ngara’, and one can see the overpass and the tall building with blue glass windows as in the image under scrutiny.
211 Check also found a Greyscale edit of the same photo shared on Pinterest and captioned: ‘Globe Cinema Roundabout, Nairobi, Kenya.’
A screenshot of the pin on Pinterest
A search for ‘Globe Cinema Roundabout’ on Google Maps brought the exact location of the roundabout, which is Nairobi, Kenya’s capital.
Other instances where photos of the roundabout have been shared and attributed to Nairobi, Kenya, are here and here,
Conclusion:
211 Check finds the claim that there is a flyover bridge in Juba, South Sudan, false. Our investigation shows that the flyover bridge is the Globe Cinema Roundabout in Nairobi, Kenya.
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, visithttps://211check.org/or message us on WhatsApp at +211 917 298 255. #FactsMatter.
https://211check.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Globe-Flyover-in-Nairobi-Kenya.png6281200211 Checkhttps://211check.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/211Check_logo-1-300x120.png211 Check2023-10-16 07:39:222023-10-20 07:42:22Fact-check: Is this overpass in Juba, South Sudan?
No, the image was taken from Miami Beach, Florida, US
Writer: Jibi Moses
A Facebook post with a picture published on Facebook by Juba Eye claiming to have been taken in Bor, Jonglei State, is false.
The picture, which was posted on November 21, 2023, had the caption “Good morning from Kuch’ngo Bor, Jonglei State”.
The post garnered 366 reactions and over 80 comments in less than three hours. Although the picture alone is questionable, some comments raised suspicion, such as one that read: “I cannot wait to be in Miami, Bor.”
This prompted 211 Check to investigate and find the exact location where the picture was taken.
A screenshot of the picture is shown in the post by Juba Eye.
Claim Verification:
211 Check ran a Google Reverse Image Search, and the results showed the image is of Miami Beach in Florida, USA.
Similarly, Yandex’s results also show that the image is of Miami Beach.
A screenshot of the same image, as posted by one of the users on Yandex
In one instance, Depositphotos posted the picture alongside other similar pictures with the caption: Aerial view of Miami Beach and Ocean Drive on a beautiful spring day. — Photo
Some other instances where the image was used, all confirming it was from Miami Beach, US, can be seenhere, here, and here.
Miami Beach, Florida, USA:
According to Latlong.net, the coastal city of Miami Beach is located between the Atlantic Ocean and Biscayne Bay in southeastern Florida, United States. It is a very popular tourist destination courtesy of its wide beaches, hotels, clubs, bars, and pastel-coloured buildings.
Conclusion:
211 Check has found that a Facebook post with the image of a beach shared on Facebook, claiming to be Bor, Jonglei State, is false. The image is of Miami Beach, Florida, US.
To ensure accuracy and transparency, we at211 Check welcome corrections from our readers. If you spot an error in this article, please request a correction usingthis 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, visithttps://211check.org/ or message us on WhatsApp at +211 917 298 255. #FactsMatter
https://211check.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/The-image-was-taken-from-Miami-Beach-Florida-US.png6281200211 Checkhttps://211check.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/211Check_logo-1-300x120.png211 Check2023-10-13 16:08:002023-11-21 16:11:22Fact-check: Does this picture show part of Bor in Jonglei State?
The website is not legitimate since it’s not the official U.S. Department of State link.
Writer: Makur Majeng
A WhatsApp message claims that the American government plans to issue over 55,000 visas plus permanent resident cards, and applications are currently open for students, workers, and families with no age limit.
When analysing the provided link and the information on the website, 211 Check discovered that the claim is a hoax.
A Google keyword search using “America Visa Lottery application form 2023/2024” yielded no credible results or official announcements related to such a lottery.
The 211 Check verification process involved examining the website mentioned in the WhatsApp message.
According to the investigation conducted by 211 Check, the website claims to offer benefits like no application fee, instant work permits, free accommodation, monthly allowances, and work and study permits.
However, these promises are often indicators of fraudulent schemes.
Screenshot of the information on the site’s webpage
The website requires individuals to enter personal information such as their name, country, gender, and password. This is a potential red flag, as scammers often exploit personal information for identity theft or other malicious purposes.
Furthermore, after providing personal details, the website requests that users validate their names and proceed to the next step. It then prompts them to choose a visa type.
However, the website does not provide concrete information about the visa process, eligibility requirements, or official U.S. Department of State website links.
The website asks participants to share the promotion with multiple groups or friends on WhatsApp, signalling a typical tactic employed by scams to broaden their reach.
The URL provided in the WhatsApp message is flagged as phishing, malicious, and malware by VirusTotal, an online tool that assesses suspicious websites.
The Diversity Immigrant Visa Program (DV Program) makes immigrant visas available to citizens of countries with low immigration rates.
The United States Department Web site says, “The 2025 Diversity Visa Program (DV-2025) is now open. The entry submission period for DV-2025 is from noon EDT (GMT -4) on October 4, 2023, to noon EST (GMT -5) on November 7, 2023. The entry form will only be available for submission during this period.”
The imposter website domain was registered on 29 August 2023, meaning it is less than a year old.
Conclusion:
The claim of the America Visa Lottery 2023/2024 application form being open, as shared through a WhatsApp message, is a hoax.
The provided website exhibits several red flags, including promises of instant benefits, soliciting personal information, and a need for official credentials or links. The URL itself is flagged as potentially malicious and phishing.
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
https://211check.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/USLotteryHoax.png6281200211 Checkhttps://211check.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/211Check_logo-1-300x120.png211 Check2023-10-13 08:40:302023-10-20 08:43:24Fact-check: This America Visa Lottery 2023/24 Application website is a hoax
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