Fact-check: Is this image of a hippo and a shark on the road during Kampala’s recent floods legitimate?

/in , , ,

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. 

The image has also been shared here. 

Claim Verification:

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.  

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.

Fact-check: Is this a beachside road in Zimbabwe?

/in , ,

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.

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

Fact-check: Did doctors in the U.S. find new cancer in human beings caused by silver nitro oxide?

/in , ,

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:

A keyword 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. 

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), skin cancer is caused by overexposure to ultraviolet light (radiation) from the sun or artificial sources like devices (tanning beds) that emit ultraviolet radiation.

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

Fact-check: Is this overpass in Juba, South Sudan?

/in , , ,

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.  

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.

Fact-check: Does this picture show part of Bor in Jonglei State? 

/in , ,

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 seen here, 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. 

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

Fact-check: This America Visa Lottery 2023/24 Application website is a hoax

/in , ,

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. 

It provides a link to apply.

The screenshot of the claim on its first click

Claim Verification:

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 US Green Card Lottery:

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.”

Here is the official website for the Electronic Diversity Visa Program.

Whois Domain Information:

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

Fact-check: The South Sudan Football Association Director of Finance hasn’t resigned

/in , ,

In a press release, the South Sudan Football Association (SSFA) leadership has refuted claims that its Finance Director, Mobutu Isaac, has resigned.

Writer: Kei Emmanuel Duku

A Facebook post widely shared on various social media platforms claiming Mobutu Isaac, SSFA Finance Director, has resigned is false, according to the South Sudan Football Governing Body, SSFA.

Screenshot of the Facebook post as posted by SSD Sport’s On Time

Posted on September 27, 2023, it claimed that Mobuto Isaac had resigned, citing reasons of financial mismanagement by the current leadership of the South Sudan Football Association.

The claim was posted in Arabic, but with the help of Google Translate, “The mismanaged money amounted to USD 500,000. The African Football Governing CAF sent the money and another $1,600,000 from FIFA.”

The claim further stated that Mobutu Isaac was one of many staff members said to have resigned from the association in addition to Konga- Konga, the receptionist, John Lodu- the board member, and another unnamed staff member holding the docket of photographer within SSFA are said to have resigned at the start of the year, because of nonpayment of their salary arrears for the last two years. 

C:\Users\Kei\Desktop\SSFA.PNG
Screenshot of the Google Translate text

It’s worth noting that SSFA receives funding from FIFA, CAF, and the government and funds from other cooperating institutions that support the various national teams.  

Claim Verification:

In a letter dated September 28, 2023, written by Victor Lawrence Lual, the association’s General Secretary denied the claim about any mismanagement of cash from FIFA, CAF, and other organisations, saying the claims were fake. 

“We would like to thank FIFA, CAF, the Government of South Sudan, and other well-wishers for their generous and continuous support of SSFA. The amount mentioned in the article published and circulated on social media is incorrect,” reads part of the statement in part.

211 Check also contacted SSFA’s finance director, who said he is on leave and has not resigned.

SSFA acknowledged receiving money from the Government of South Sudan amounting to 400,000,000 SSP, as indicated in the claim; however, it denied saying the money was meant for the U-20 National Team in their recent triumph in the U-20 competition held in Sudan and Egypt. 

But is SSFA Receiving funds from FIFA and CAF? 

Despite SSFA not revealing how much they are getting from CAF and FIFA, 211 Check conducted desktop research to determine how much every Member Association affiliated with FIFA and CAF receives. Our finding indicates that the Federation of Uganda Football Association, a South Sudan neighbour in 2020, received $500,000 as an annual grant from FIFA, which was paid to 210 of all Member Associations (MA) registered with FIFA, including SSFA, as a way of recovering funds from COVID-19 as reported by Eye Radio. 

Apart from the COVID-19 grants, every member association receives money from FIFA. 

Other grants from CAF to all the  MA are sent quarterly  $500,000 from FIFA, amounting to $1 million. This money is intended to fund activities of the respective associations, including the payment of salaries to staff, and another part of it goes to the local football governing association in every country, as explained by FUFA Communications Director Ahmed Hussein. 

However, the letter issued by SSFA stated that much of the money received from FIFA and CAF was used for funding national teams. Yet, national teams are solely the responsibility of the government through the Ministry of Sports as it hires and pays for the national team coach—a company paid for the current South Sudan National Team head coach position. Again, SSFA claimed in their press release that they spend some money on infrastructure, yet the ongoing construction work at Juba Stadium is solely funded by FIFA. 

Therefore, it remains to be seen what infrastructural development the association is currently undertaking, as claimed in the press release issued by the office. 

It is not only FIFA that sends money to its MA, but also CAF President Dr Patrice Motsepe, who, while on his tour to Uganda, reaffirmed his commitment to increasing funding for member associations. This is to help with administrative costs.  

History of mismanagement of FIFA and CAF funds within the SSFA 

In 2016, through its adjudicatory chamber of the independent ethics committee, FIFA found Mr Chabour Goc Alei, former president of the SSFA, guilty of having misappropriated FIFA funds, which led to his suspension from related football activities.  

Suppose this claim posted on SSD Sport’s timeline is to attract investigation by FIFA and other audit firms. In that case, it is because of the similarity it shares with the previous claims of 2016 because, before investigations by FIFA in 2016, Tobby William Okot, former Secretary General of SSFA, and his deputy resigned following allegations of mismanagement of funds from FIFA. 

Secondly, the claims also have something in common regarding the amount of money said to have been mismanaged in 2016, which is the exact figure of $500,000 from FIFA. 

Conclusion: 

211 Check finds the claim that the South Sudan Football Association’s Finance Director has resigned false. A press release from the football governing body dismissed the claim.

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: WhatsApp message advertising UN AID funds for South Sudan is a hoax

/in , ,

The viral WhatsApp message containing an application for UN AID Funds to South Sudanese is a scam.

Writer: Abraham Athian 

A WhatsApp message being forwarded to several users and groups with a title that reads, “UN AID FUNDS FOR SOUTH SUDAN” is a hoax.

“The online application for UN AID FUNDS is now available, and the government is urging all the citizens to apply now to receive this aid funds. Payment of funds has just started,” the claim reads in part.

“Application is free for all applicants and is open to all citizens, whether rich or poor,” the message adds. 

Screenshot of the WhatsApp message doing rounds

A link is provided in the WhatsApp message for unsuspecting users to click on. The provided link refers you to a web page where you will see the South Sudan Coat of Arms and the United Nations logo with South Sudan maps in the background. 

Besides, you will also see the alleged number of applicants who are said to have received the claimed aid highlighted in green colour. There are about 9,634 beneficiaries. 

Screenshot of the web claim

In addition, some static comments with unclickable profiles are fake and misleading. 

A screenshot of the fake comments on the web page

While proceeding,  a user is asked for their name and whether the user is a South Sudanese. After submission, the user will see the congratulatory message and eligibility to receive the aid after submitting the details. 

With their tricky plans, conditional steps are given to receive the alleged funds. That is by sharing it with five groups and 15 friends on WhatsApp. “This is what made it go viral.” 

A screenshot of the tricky claim

Claim Verification 

A Google Word Search for “UN aid funds for South Sudan” yields no results. 

WEB Paranoid Results show that the Uniform Resource Locator (URL) link is a scam and a low-trusted website that is suspicious and unsafe for users.

WEB PARANOID RESULTS (Analysis, Review, and Complaints):

Web Analysis 

Web Review 

Web Technical Analysis 

A screenshot of Web Paranoid results 

A further search by Virus Total detected Bitdefender, Fortinet and G-Data as Malware. Avira, Kaspersky and CyRadar Phishing and Malicious, respectively.

A screenshot of Virus Total results 

The overall summary of Virus Total results. Six security vendors flagged this URL  https://un.aid.fund.officialreg.site as malicious. 

A screenshot of the Virus Total results summary 

In comparison, the Whois search shows that the given Link is not the legitimate United Nations URL.

GoDaddy, LLC registered and updated the fake domain on September 22, 2023, in Arizona State, United States. It will expire on September 22, 2024. In most cases, newly registered websites are not trustworthy.

 A screenshot of the fake domain Whois Information

On the other hand, Network Solutions, LLC registered the legitimate United Nations domain on January 31, 1995, in New York State, US. It was updated on January 15, 2018, and will expire on February 1, 2024.

A screenshot of the official UN domain Whois Information

The provided URL https://un.aid.fund.officialreg.site doesn’t match the official United Nations URL https://www.un.org/en/. Making it a fake and illegal domain devised to scam internet users. 

Conclusion:

211 Check finds the claim that the United Nations is running Aid funds for South Sudanese, a hoax devised as a phishing scam to deceive unsuspecting internet users into providing their details. 

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 Bill Gates planning to eliminate three billion people?

/in , ,

There’s no evidence that Bill Gates made such a statement. 

Writer: Ochaya Jackson

A video circulating on WhatsApp claiming that, according to Bill Gates, three billion people should be eliminated is false and misleading. The video claim is accompanied by a statement that urges people to share it on every platform so that they (Africans) can protect themselves and their families.

“Let’s continue sharing this video [on] every platform for the well-being of the Africans. Watch this video now or watch it again and figure out how to protect yourself and your families in the medications that you take or the packaged food that you consume because you’re too busy to pay attention,” read the text accompanying the video claim.

In the two-minute video, a man identified as Doctor Robert O. Young, who appeared on a panel for the International Tribunal for Natural Justice, attributed to Bill Gates the statement that at least three billion people need to die. Young goes on to say that they ‘will start off in Africa’ on the pretext that they are deplorable and worthless, which the viral WhatsApp message focuses on. 

“For the purpose of sterilisation and population control, there’s too many people on the planet we need to get rid of. In the words of Bill Gates, at least three billion people need to die. So we will just start off in Africa. We will start doing our research there and will eliminate most of the Africans because they are deplorable, they are worthless. They are not part of this world economies. Their rights are taken away and suppressed and experimented on (sic),” Young said during the panel described as testimonies from experts.’

Screenshot of the video claim 

Claim Verification:

A Google reverse image search of the video screenshot returned various sources that debunked the claim in the video as false, such as here and here.

A keyword search for “Bill Gates plan to reduce population in Africa” on Google also returned other sources that flagged the claim as false such as here.

However, the search returned an interview Bill Gates did with the Financial Times, in 2018 where he talked about population growth and poverty reduction in Africa. Gates spoke about Africa’s population growth, which would see the number of people in extreme poverty go up if investment in human capital and improvement in healthcare services are not done to reduce it. He did not say the three billion people needed to be eliminated.

Further, according to media reports, in 2010 at a TED Talk conference dubbed “Innovating to Zero” Bill Gates presented his vision for the global energy future. He talked about the growth of the global population and the need to lower it through investment in health. He is not quoted as having made the statement under our investigation. 

“Now, if we do a really great job on new vaccines, health care, reproductive health services, we could lower that by, perhaps, 10 or 15 percent. But there, we see an increase of about 1.3,” reads an excerpt from Bill Gates’ speech as transcribed from minute 4:17.

Who is Doctor Robert O. Young?

211 Check made several queries about Young on Google, which show that he is seemingly a naturopathic practitioner who was convicted of practising medicine without a licence in 2018 and was ordered to pay $105 million to a woman diagnosed with cancer which he falsely promised to cure. This is one among criminal charges as per media reports.

In 2020, the United States Federal Trade Commission (FTC) also warned Young to stop advertising unsubstantiated or scientifically unproven products he claimed for the prevention and treatment of COVID-19.

Conclusion:

The claim that Bill Gates’ plan to eliminate the three billion people is not true and there is no evidence that he made such a statement. 

On the other hand, Young’s credibility as a medical expert is in question having been accused of practising medicine without a licence.

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.

Fact-check: Has a new HIV/AIDS variant that causes facial rashes been discovered in Africa?

/in , ,

No, there are no reports from WHO about a new HIV variant discovered in Africa.

Writer: Abraham Athian 

A picture in a Post shared by Tikambeko News claims, “A new HIV variant has been discovered in Africa, and if you have any of these symptoms, you may be having it,” but this is false.

This is the  URL to the false article. 

It is a form of health misinformation that scares the public on social media and those who have acne on their faces. The attached picture in the post is of a person with acne, not a new HIV variant, as claimed by the imposter. The picture has been online since 2014.

A screenshot of the Facebook post 

The post attracted 160 likes, 83 comments, and 23 shares. Many media outlets also posted it, as you can see here, here, here, here, and here.

Claim Verification:

A Google search engine shows that the picture first appeared online on June 12, 2014. It was shared by WordPress that Forever Living products (Aloe Vera Gelly and Aloe Propolis Creme) are used to treat acne.

A screenshot of a WordPress post 

The other sources where you can find the origin of the picture are here, here, here, here, and here.

Further search for the source of this picture and the claim lands us on the previous fact-check made by Edmo Belux, a fact-checking agency in Belgium and Luxembourg. This verified the false claim made by Julius Malema Speak in South Africa about the new HIV variant. It concluded it was false by providing some evidence attached below. 

A screenshot of the factual report about the new HIV variant 

A screenshot of the refuted claim 

A screenshot of the verified information

You can also read the full Edmo’s fact-check article written by Tendai Dube here. 

The Latest Research on HIV and other infectious diseases continued to be presented at the 2023 Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections (CROI). Dr Dieffenbach, the Director of the Division of AIDS at NIH’s National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease, highlighted three NIH-supported studies that focused on the effectiveness of long-acting HIV prevention in specific populations and a demonstration of how long-acting HIV treatment can be used to reach people with multiple challenges to treatment adherence. First, he discussed a study presented by Dr. Hyman Scott of the San Francisco Department of Public Health that demonstrated the safety and effectiveness of long-acting injectable cabotegravir (CAB-LA) for HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) among black men who have sex with men and transgender women who have sex with men, concluding that CAB-LA can be a powerful HIV prevention tool to reduce HIV incidence among these groups that are disproportionately affected by HIV.

 What is acne?

Acne is a skin condition that occurs when the opening on the skin’s surface becomes clogged. Acne causes inflamed growths, which may have whiteheads or blackheads. Causes of acne can include hormonal imbalance, oversecretion of oil glands in the skin, and dirt/impurities clogging the skin pores.

Treatment:

The use of Aloe Vera Gelly and Aloe Propolis Creme can minimise the implications. This skin treatment formula has been used and validated over and over satisfactorily, with over 90% of use resulting in total transformation of troubled areas. It works on all types of acne: Blackheads, Whiteheads, Cysts, Acne Vulgaris, Conglobata, and rosacea. 

Conclusion:

211 Check finds the claim that there is a new HIV/AIDS variant to be false. It is health misinformation and disinformation. The picture allegedly of a person infected with the new variant was first used in an advertisement for acne-treating medicines in 2014.

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