Speculative and conspiratorial information that is shared as part of a larger trend mostly not based on facts or partially based on a news story or a report that is taken out of context and at times manipulated

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Fact-check: Did President Donald Trump threaten to issue arrest warrants to South Sudanese elites?

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No, US President Donald Trump didn’t make this speech, and it was AI-generated content.

Writer: Makur Majeng

A Social media audio claim that US President Donald Trump has threatened to issue arrest warrants for South Sudan’s President Salva Kiir, business tycoon Benjamin Bol Mel, and SPLM Secretary-General Peter Lam Both is fake. 

The claim also added that Trump has vowed to freeze the assets of Benjamin Bol Mel and impose further sanctions on the South Sudanese government within 24 hours if the ban on social media remains. 

“I have been informed that the corrupt and brutal government of South Sudan has banned the citizens from accessing the internet. If these restrictions are not lifted within twenty-four hours, I will issue an arrest warrant for Dictator Salva Kiir, Benjamin Bol Mel, and SPLM General Secretary Peter Lam Both. Additionally, the United States will freeze all assets illegally acquired by Benjamin Bol Mel and impose further sanctions on the government of South Sudan,” reads the audio transcript of the claim.

This claim statement was widely shared on social media platforms, with one Facebook post by “Gambella Issue News” generating over 21,000 views, 300+ likes, 45 comments, and 165 shares. But despite its virality, the claim lacks credibility.

The screenshot of the Facebook post claim bearing President Trump’s image (up) and President Salva Kiir’s image (below).

Claim Verification:

A Google keyword search using “DONALD TRUMP SPEECH ABOUT SOUTH SUDAN INTERNET BAN” yielded no results from credible sources. No reliable news outlets have reported any such speech by Donald Trump targeting South Sudanese leaders.

A comprehensive review of Donald Trump’s speeches, interviews, and official accounts on platforms such as Facebook and X (formerly Twitter) revealed no record of him making this statement.

If Trump had made such a controversial statement, it would have been widely covered by reputable international and South Sudanese media outlets, including CNN, BBC, Al Jazeera, and Eye Radio. However, no such coverage exists, further debunking the claim.

The style and content of the audio suggest it was AI-generated. Advances in AI tools have made it easier to create deepfakes and fabricated audio recordings, often used to spread misinformation and disinformation.

Conclusion

211 Check established the claim that Donald Trump threatened to issue arrest warrants for South Sudanese elites and impose sanctions within 24 hours is false. The claim in the speech was fabricated using artificial intelligence technology, and Trump has not made any statement concerning the social media restrictions in 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, visit https://211check.org/, or message us on WhatsApp at +211 921 350 435. #FactsMatter.

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Fact-check: A viral video of the protest with the caption President Kiir must go is old, not recent.

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There was no protest today, and the video does not depict a protest against the social media ban but rather a 2021 demonstration for justice after musician Trisha Cee was knocked down in a water tanker accident.

Writer: Makur Majeng

A viral video making rounds on social media claims to show South Sudanese youths protesting in Juba against President Salva Kiir’s rule. The protesters are allegedly demanding that the president face prosecution by the International Criminal Court (ICC) for crimes against humanity. However, this claim is false, and the video has been altered to mislead viewers.

“The social media blockade has sparked street protests in some parts of South Sudan, with youth calling for President Kiir to step down and face the International Criminal Court for crimes against humanity. The country’s National Communication Authority, acting on orders from the ruling party, SPLM, has banned access to Facebook and TikTok across the country since last night. (File Footage)” reads Facebook Post. 

The screenshot of Garang John’s post.

Claim Verification: 

The video is not recent, and a Google reverse search reveals that the footage originally appeared on March 30th, 2021, during a protest unrelated to politics or the ICC.

The 2021 demonstration occurred after the tragic death of South Sudanese musician Trisha Cee, who was knocked off a boda-boda in a road accident involving a water tanker driven by an Eritrean. The protesters gathered at the Mobil Roundabout in Juba to demand improved healthcare services, stricter road safety regulations, and justice for Trisha Cee.

After a fatal road accident involving a water tanker, protesters called for better healthcare infrastructure and stricter licensing rules for foreign drivers, particularly Eritreans, as posted by Eye Radio.

Activists like Wani Michael, Manasseh Mathiang, and James Kolok were among those arrested during the protest. Demonstrators carried signs demanding justice for Trisha Cee, better road safety measures, and healthcare reforms.

Context:

The viral video has been manipulated with altered captions, and audio voices chanting “Kiir Must Go” in the background were taken from an old video protest about food and hunger by the students of the University of Bahr el Gazal in May 2024.

Social media users recirculated the video with misleading captions to stir political tension, but the fact remains clear the protests were about road safety and healthcare, not opposition to President Kiir.

Conclusion:

211 Check established that the viral video claiming that South Sudanese youth protested against President Kiir is false and misleading. The footage was extracted from a 2021 video that relates to demands for road safety and healthcare reforms following the death of musician Trisha Cee.

There was no protest today at the mobile roundabout regarding any issue against the president or the government.

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: NILEPET staff didn’t write this planned demonstration letter

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Nile Petroleum Corporation (NILEPET) swiftly debunked the letter as fraudulent on their official Facebook page.

Writer: Christopher Luate Obede

A Facebook post published by Sixty 4 Tribes Press, a page that describes itself as an ‘internet company’ on 1 December 2023 with a letter allegedly written by aggrieved NilePet staff about a planned peaceful demonstration, is false.

The letter was also shared and forwarded to WhatsApp groups with the same caption shared on Facebook. “Nile Petroleum Corporation staff had planned for a peaceful demonstration scheduled for Monday, 04 December 2023, at 8:00 am at the Nilepet Headquarters (HQ), Thongping residential area,” the letter read in part. 

Nile Petroleum Corporation, also known as NILEPET, is a national company established with a mandate to participate in the upstream, midstream, and downstream oil and gas activities on behalf of the Government of the Republic of South Sudan. 

A letter allegedly written by aggrieved NilePet staff about a planned demonstration

Claim Verification:

Nile Petroleum Corporation dismissed the published letter with the stamp “fake” by sharing its screenshot on its official Facebook post.

“Nilepet will not hesitate to take the necessary legal action against those who continually use our image and branding to publish content in a negative light,” their Facebook post reads in part.

The company, NILEPET told The City Review Newspaper that the allegations of planned strike were just social media rumours. The news report stated that the staff were going on with their duties, and there was no protest.

Screenshot of the Facebook post by NILEPET.

On the same Facebook page, Sixty 4 Tribes Press published another fake letter claiming that the aggrieved Nile Petroleum staff had called off the protest to first submit their demands to the new chairman of the board of directors.

Conclusion:

211 Check finds a Facebook post with a letter claiming that Nile Petroleum Corporation staff planned for a peaceful demonstration, false.  

The company, on its official Facebook page, Nile Petroleum Corporation and in a news report dismissed the letter as fake.

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: This picture depicts Bauchi State, Nigeria, not Yei County, South Sudan 

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This picture does not show Yei County but Bauchi State in Nigeria.

Writer: Nancy Ceasar

There is an image of a highway, a car, and a mountain view posted on 9th August 2023 on a Facebook personal account created in 2009 with 7.2k followers with the caption, “Which place is this in, Yei?”

It is false. The place in the picture is not Yei.

This post attracted some comments and likes, and the commenters were guessing because they couldn’t tell which place it was, making it a reason to fact-check whether it was Yei River County.

This is a screenshot of the post.

This post attracted comments, and some commenters gave suggestions because they did not know whether it was Yei.

Investigation:

Visual Clues: Yei, a Central Equatoria State town, has no tarmac road. The roads and streets are also not as wide as those in the picture.

211 Check performed a reverse image search on the picture using Google Lens Search. The results show that Bauchi friends posted the image on Instagram on June 10th, 2021, with the caption, “This is a paradise for mountaineers and hikers. Which of the frames is your favourite?” “Mbula Hills, Dass LDA of Bauchi State, Nigeria, NG”

A screenshot of the picture that Bauchi’s friends posted

And the same picture was posted by Top Travel and Tour on Instagram with the caption “Top Places of Interest in Bauchi.” “Mbula Hill is one of the many hills in Bauchi state, located in the Dass local government area of Bauchi State.”

Mbula Hill, which is about 4100 feet high, is one of the major tourist destinations in Dass. Mbula Hill is an ideal destination for mountain climbers and hikers. When you plan on exploring Bauchi, remember to put Dass on your list”. This was shared on 5 January 2020.

The People, Relief, and Landforms of Dass Emirate posted the same picture with the caption, “As part of an effort by the present administration government and Governor Muhamad Abdullahi Abubakar of Bauchi State to explore tourism potentials in the state, Atewa Daily Blog deems it paramount to compile brief facts from Dass Emirate.” 

This picture was posted on 13 July 2017

Conclusion:

211 Check finds the picture claimed to be a part of Yei false. The photo shows Bauchi State, Nigeria.

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.

Fighting misinformation and disinformation in the media is crucial to 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: Picture misidentified as Juba, South Sudan

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This picture shows Johannesburg, South Africa

Writer: Nancy Ceasar

A Facebook page New Sudan posted an image with the caption, “Juba, South Sudan ♥ ️” is false.

This post, published on 16 July 2023, attracted 1.7K likes, 258 comments, and 57 shares. The page posted this picture.

Does this picture show Juba, South Sudan?

Investigation:

211 Check carried out a Google Reverse Image Search on the picture,  and the results showed that the picture had been used by different people referring the picture to Johannesburg, South Africa.

The Most beautiful place in the World posted this picture on August 25, 2020, with a caption.

Screenshot of the picture as shown by Most Beautiful Places in the World

In addition, Angelillo posted the same on Pinterest with the caption “Jacaranda Avenue, Johannesburg, South Africa”. 

Additionally, Agajahub Publisher posted the picture with other pictures, captioning them “List of 30 beautiful cities in Africa and their pictures”.

The most beautiful natural places in the World posted the same picture on 29 August 2020.

I Love South Africa posted the image with the caption, “Jacaranda trees are here to stay,” says the city of Tshwane, which was posted on 28 October 2022.

Architecture and design  – Johannesburg’s Jacaranda on 12 February 2019.

A screenshot of the post

Conclusion:

211 Check has found out that the image making rounds claiming to be Juba, South Sudan, is false. The picture shows Johannesburg, South Africa.

Juba is the capital of South Sudan, the largest city of South Sudan, and the capital of the central Equatoria state. It’s the world’s newest capital city, while Johannesburg, South Africa, is the biggest city and capital of Gauteng province. It began as a 19th-century gold-mining settlement.

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.

Fighting misinformation and disinformation in the media is crucial to 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 thunder strike these people in Uganda because of mobile phones?

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No, the incident happened in India and was unrelated to mobile phone use. 

Writer: Ochaya Jackson

A message circulating on WhatsApp claiming that some people in Uganda were struck by thunder while taking shelter under a tree because their phones were on is false. 

The message, accompanied by a 13-second video, alleges that the supposed casualties were struck dead because their phones were not switched off and warned people to put phones off when it is raining.

“Hi brethren. This is a horrific scene. Thunder struck people dead in Uganda because their phones where not off when they were taking shelter under a tree. Caution, let’s always put our phones off when it is raining (sic),” reads the text. 

In the video, four people are seen falling to the ground after a lightning flash while sheltering under a tree as it rains.

The screenshot of the WhatsApp message

Investigation:

A Google reverse image search returned that the video has been shared on various online platforms. 

According to ‘WildFilmsIndia’, the video shows four men being struck by lightning while taking shelter during rain under a tree in Gurgaon Park, India. It was uploaded in March 2021.

The video was also shared here in December 2021, and the text accompanying it translates to a warning that people should avoid wired phones except in emergencies.

The same video was shared in January 2022 by here, accompanied by text that warned people not to take shelter under the tree and that they should turn off their phones or put them on flight mode. 

This site also posted a video with an Arabic text that warned people to stay away from trees and tall metal objects during thunderstorms. 

Findings

A keyword search on ‘thunder strike people in Uganda’ on Google returned several media reports regarding lightning strikes that killed people in Uganda but not because their phones were on when raining.

According to a BBC report in August 2020, 10 children were killed by a lightning strike in the Arua district of Uganda while sheltering in a grass-thatch hut.

In 2011, The Christian Science Monitor reported that lightning struck a primary school and killed 20 pupils, and about 100 were injured. No reference was made to mobile phones being the reason for the lightning strike.

It is also important to note that thunder is a sound wave caused by a flash of lightning and it is created when the lightning’s energy passes through the air. Lightning heats the air rapidly with a temperature of about 50,000 degrees Fahrenheit (27,760 degrees Celsius) and the rapid expansion and contraction creates the sound wave known as thunder, according to the National Weather Service.

Does a cell phone attract lightning? No

According to AccuWeather, cell phones do not attract lightning. However, using a landline phone during a thunderstorm is dangerous because of its connection to the outside wire as lightning follows the wire to the handset.

Source: Channel Future 2018, credit: Shutterstock

Scientific literature published by the National Centre for Biotechnology Information in 2006, which cited the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) report, indicated that mobile phones are not a lightning strike risk. 

Conclusion

Media reports about lightning strikes that killed people in Uganda did not cite mobile phones as the reason for attracting lightning when raining. 

Additionally, there are no recent reports of such an incident in Uganda, and according to Ugandan Police Force Spokesperson Commissioner Fred Enanga, “We have never registered such an incident of lightning here. Most incidents are football-related, schools, gardening, and the chairs in the video are not common here (sic).”

On the other hand, reports from Indian media, as seen here and here, show that the incident took place in India. It was also said that the men only suffered burn injuries, and there is no mention of mobile phones as the cause. 

No publicly available proof exists that lightning strikes people when it rains because of switching mobile phones on or using them. However, using landline phones when raining poses a risk. 

This fact check was published by 211 Check with support from Code for Africa’s PesaCheck and the African Fact-Checking Alliance.

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.

Fighting misinformation and disinformation in the media is crucial to 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 photo of the President of South Sudan holding an Illuminati contract?

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No, the picture has been altered. The original photo shows President Salva Kiir Mayardit receiving an invitation letter from a representative of the Turkish president.

Writer: Beatrice Amude Paulino

A Facebook post with an image of South Sudanese president Salva Kiir holding a piece of paper with the words ‘Illuminati contract’ is false. 

The post by ‘Membership Supremacy’ states some benefits of becoming an Illuminati member and is accompanied by four images, including one of Kiir holding the supposed contract.

Screenshot of the post.

Investigation:

A reverse image search of the photo using Google Lens brings up the original photo as featured in an article by the Sudan Tribune published on January 11, 2023. The story’s title reads: “South Sudan’s Kiir invited for a conference in Turkey.’’

The image shows Turkey’s envoy to South Sudan, Erdem Mutaf, presenting the invitation letter to Kiir on behalf of the Turkish president. 

The original image clearly does not bear the ‘Illuminati contract’ text and has also been shared here. 

Conclusion:

211 Check has found that the picture making rounds on social media purportedly showing the President of South Sudan, H.E. Salva Kiir, receiving an ‘Illuminati contract’ is false. The image shows Turkey’s envoy to South Sudan, Erdem Mutaf, presenting an invitation letter to Kiir on behalf of the Turkish president. 

This fact check was published by 211 Check with support from Code for Africa’s PesaCheck and the African Fact-Checking Alliance.

 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 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: Former Niger finance minister caught on video crying after allegedly squandering state funds?

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No, the video shows Morou Amadou, the former Justice Minister in Niger, and is unrelated to the coup.  

Writer: Jibi Moses

A video originally posted on Tiktok and making the rounds on WhatsApp claiming that Niger’s former finance minister was crying after being threatened with death by firing squad for stealing from the state coffers is false.  

The video shows a man sobbing and being offered a bottle of water. The WhatsApp message accompanying the video claims that the man, supposedly Niger’s former finance minister, was crying because he was given an ultimatum of 48 hours by the coup plotters to account for all the stolen Nigerien money or else he would be killed by firing squad. The video was shared on July 31, 2023.

 A screenshot of the video as shared on the WhatsApp platform

The video was also presented with the same headline on different websites, such as here and here.

Investigation:

211Check traced the TikTok video to Djibo Amadou, who shared the video on July 26, 2023. 

A Reverse Image Search, of a screengrab from the video returned many results, some dating back as far as 2021.

Sources that used the video with the same or similar headlines include here, here, and  here, among others. 

However, the results also brought up the video as shared on December 27, 2021, by a Facebook user. The video was shared with an accompanying text in Hausa, identified with the help of Google Translate. The text’s translation identifies the person in the video as ‘Morou Amadou, the former Niger minister of Justice.’

A screenshot of the text shared by the Facebook user as translated by Google

We also discovered that the video had been shared on Twitter on December 20, 2021, with a caption in Arabic. Using Google Translate, we realised the post described the man in the video as the former Minister of Justice, ‘Maro Amdo’, who was a minister in Niger between 2011 and 2021. 

The narrative was that the minister was crying while praising the former presidents of Niger, especially Muhammadu Issoufou, with whom he worked for ten years as Minister of Justice.

The screenshot of the tweet is both in arabic and English

Morou Amadou 

A search on Google using the words “Is Morou Amadou the former finance minister of Niger?” returned several results explaining that Amadou was the Former Minister of Justice from April 21, 2011–April 1, 2021.

A picture of Morou Amadou, while still in office as Minister of Justice 

On the other hand, Ali Mahaman Lamine Zeine, the former Finance Minister of Niger, has been appointed the New Prime Minister by coup leader Abdourahmane Tchiani. 

A picture of the former minister of finance, currently the prime minister  (AFP).

Niger coup saga

On July 26, 2023, the Presidential Guard in Niger launched a coup and detained President Mohamed Bazoum and his family. Senior officers from various defence and security forces (FDS) branches formed a junta named the National Council for the Safeguarding of the Homeland (CNSP). They announced the seizure of power In a televised broadcast. The public response varied, with initial demonstrations in support of Bazoum being dispersed by mutinous soldiers and subsequent demonstrations in support of the CNSP. On July 27, the Nigerien Armed Forces joined the CNSP, citing their intent to avoid lethal confrontation and to safeguard the president and his family. (Source🙂

Conclusion

The claim in the video, which has been widely shared, is false and misleading. This video, which is of former Nigerien Minister of Justice Marou Amadou, has been online since December 2021 and is unrelated to the coup.

Similarly, several fact-checking organisations have also debunked the claim, as seen here, here, and here.

This fact check was published by 211 Check with support from Code for Africa’s PesaCheck and the African Fact-Checking Alliance.

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 important 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: Are these photos of Sudanese military general Col. Ibrahim Shemseddin?

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No, the men in the photos are Omar Zain al-Abdin, former Head of the Sudanese military council’s political committee in uniform, and Lomoni Lewan whose photo was taken in the Turkana region of Kenya.

Writer: Ochaya Jackson

A tweet with images claiming to show Sudanese military general Colonel Ibrahim Shemseddin in a malnourished state in detention is false.

One of the images is supposedly of the general in military attire, and two others are of him in detention by former Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir’s regime. 

“Politics and its cruelty: “The person you see in the picture below is called Colonel Ibrahim Shemsedin. The man was Sudan’s most powerful Security Chief, locked up in underground detention by President al-Bashir’s regime”, reads the August 2, 2023 tweet. 

Screenshot of the tweet

The claim depicts a political turnaround and portrays that the military Colonel was once powerful but ended up in prison under former Sudanese president Omar Al-Bashir.

Investigation

However, a Google reverse image search established that the photos presented in the claim are of two different individuals.

The man in the military attire is Omar Zain al-Abdin, former Head of the Sudanese military council’s political committee. The photo was taken while he was addressing a press conference in 2019 after the overthrow of President al- Bashir from power.

On the other hand, the elderly, malnourished man is Lomoni Lewan. His photo was taken in the Turkana region of Kenya by BBC correspondent Ronclife Odit, who tweeted about it the same year, according to the France 24 website.

Lewan’s photo has also been used in the past claiming to show a political prisoner detained in an underground tunnel since 1995 in the Sudanese city of Omduman. However, it was fact-checked by AFP and found to be false.

According to United Press International’s (UPI) article, Col. Ibrahim Shamseddine, Sudan’s former deputy minister of defence, died in a plane crash in 2001 alongside other senior military officers during an inspection visit to Malakal.

Real photos of Colonel Ibrahim Shamssedine, source: France 24 

Conclusion:

The photos in the claim are not of Col. Ibrahim Shamseddine. The men in the photos are Omar Zain al-Abdin, former Head of the Sudanese military council’s political committee in uniform, and Lomoni Lewan whose photo was taken in the Turkana region of Kenya.

This fact check was published by 211 Check with support from Code for Africa’s PesaCheck and the African Fact-Checking Alliance.

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 important 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.

HOAX: This website offering free 50GB data to celebrate WhatsApp’s 10th anniversary is a scam

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The website is fake since WhatsApp’s 10th anniversary was celebrated in 2019

Writer: PesaCheck

This website submitted for fact-checking via PesaCheck’s WhatsApp Tipline, supposedly offering WhatsApp users 50GB of data as part of the company’s 10th anniversary, is a HOAX.

To get the purported data, participants are required to provide their phone numbers and share the link with 12 friends or in WhatsApp groups.

The website has several red flags, among them a suspicious URL, a request for personal details (phone number), and the requirement for users to share the link before receiving data. The red flags prompted us to investigate the website.

Despite PesaCheck following all the steps outlined in the alleged promotion, we did not receive the promised free data. In the final stage, the verification tab was unresponsive and repeatedly redirected us to unrelated web pages.

Additionally, we performed a Whois search and established that the website was registered on 29 January 2023, while the authentic WhatsApp website, Whatsapp.com, was registered in September 2008.

Legitimate sites are usually older than hoax sites. Bogus sites also tend to have concealed registrant details.

From left to right: a WHOIS search for the imposter vs that of the legitimate WhatsApp site.

The website claims that the free data is in celebration of WhatsApp’s 10th anniversary. However, the instant messaging application was founded in 2009 and celebrated its 10th anniversary in 2019.

On WhatsApp’s verified Twitter account and Facebook page, there’s no information on any such promotion.

PesaCheck examined a website submitted for fact-checking via PesaCheck’s WhatsApp Tipline, supposedly offering WhatsApp users 50GB of data as part of the company’s 10th anniversary celebration and found it to be a HOAX.

This fact check was published by 211 Check with support from Code for Africa’s PesaCheck and the African Fact-Checking Alliance.

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 important 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.