ONLINE FOOD FOR THOUGHT: Recognizing and Avoiding ‘Social Media Scams and Hoaxes’

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Author: Ariik Robert and Bida Emmanuel

Online scams are becoming more prevalent, it is essential to check whether the information you see online is legitimate. Are you always cautious about content obtained online? 

The growth of digital technology globally has led to the emergence of various online platforms which are used as channels for information and interaction, but as more people get online, cases of digital fraud on rise. 

Such events are attributed by technological experts to mostly low internet literacy, among other factors. 

Over the past few months, 211 Check has identified a number of scam related institutions offering scholarships, loans, grants and giveaways using names of prominent individuals, businesses, and organizations on social media.

Continued reports we received show that frauders are using social media to find new and unsuspecting victims in South Sudan.

Our investigation states that hundreds if not thousands of South Sudanese netizens  may have been exposed to fraud/scams on the various social media platforms. 

Most scammers lure the online users with the extortion of money in appeals for elites support, especially the politicians. These scams trick users into thinking that they are interacting with legitimate entities online, and by the time they discover the fraud, it is often too late.

Scammers craft these fake offers and use them to prey on unsuspecting individuals using fake FB or Twitter accounts to defraud them of money, increase their website clicks for monetary gain, or steal personal information. 

These scams mix some truth with false information and use this to manipulate legitimate content to increase their visibility and reach, making some hoaxes difficult to spot.

Well, how can you avoid being conned? Here are some important things to look out for in order to avoid  being scammed. 

Poorly written posts

Many scams are produced in a hurry, and they often contain spelling and grammatical mistakes asking you to take certain actions. While errors may result from scammers having a poor command of the language, most mistakes are intentional and strategic.

The organizations that these scammers impersonate often have social media teams whose jobs are to carefully craft messages before they go online, perhaps it is unlikely that these errors would pass internal scrutiny before being published.

It is possible that these errors are inserted to dissuade those likely to spot them and report the scam, therefore this could be a strategy to isolate those who are less keen and more gullible, and who are more likely to fall prey to the scam.

One such indicator is; posts that are written in all capital letters and that have a lot of exclamation points.

An example of a post with grammatical errors

Posts that ask users to share content with friends to win

Some posts claiming to offer gift cards or shopping vouchers from popular stores or retail chains circulating on social media contain a link to a page that asks users to share the post with their friends and contacts as one step towards winning whatever prize is on offer.

Clicking on the link often redirects you to a site that requires users to give personal information, in order to claim winnings. The information requested varies from the name and phone number; to asking for payments via mobile money in order for their information to be processed.

Despite fulfilling the conditions asked to get the giveaway, another step is sometimes required: the user is asked to share the message with their WhatsApp contacts, or on Facebook groups, widening the net of potential victims to be scammed.

This asks the user to share with 20 others as a condition to receive gifts

Needless to say, no gift is forthcoming even after the post has been shared with contacts. Instead, the last step may lead to a new link, which tries to obtain additional data from the user.

Please, always avoid such posts, they are scams related and may jeopardize your account. 

Free Scholarship that is guarantee and only requests  for your personal information

Scholarships are generally given to students with high-quality academic records, nothing in life comes easy, and thus there is no free or guaranteed scholarship. 

But the scammers instead use that trap to collect your personal datas like email, date of birth, credit card number, and passwords which theylater use to commit identity theft to later commit crimes online using your identity. 

Others will even impersonate you and then start asking for money or loans from people close to you using your identity.

A text  from a scammer requesting for personal information to send a victim money for scholarship 

Posts that ask for money to facilitate a process

Scams that directly ask for money are the easiest to spot. This is common in job and scholarship scams, where applicants are asked to pay a fee, termed as processing, application, or registration fee, to be considered for the job or the scholarship.

The payments are usually required through a mobile money transfer app or bank, which is most commonly used in South Sudan and neighboring countries. However, the fee is sent to a personal number — often described as an official at the entity in question, such as the human resource manager — and not to the company’s legitimate bank account or mobile money pay bill.

Screenshot of a WhatsApp message from a scammer suggesting payment methods

The fee at times is relatively small but various with financial status, usually about US Dollars 50 to US Dollars 200 – an amount can translate to a hefty sum for the scammers should they succeed in fooling a large number of people.

Genuine job advertisements, grants, scholarships, and giveaways from legitimate companies do not require a fee to be paid, and being asked to pay upfront is a clear sign that something is fishy. 

Even the global UN agencies don’t ask for a job application fee. Be always careful with such. 

Posts that direct to an unrelated website

Some scams use the name of a real company, going as far as setting up a social media page or website using the name of the company.

One common tactic is the use of Google forms, which are quick and easy to set up, and can be made to look official and legitimate. These are popular with the job and scholarship scams, and grants used to steal people’s personal information.

Screenshot of a misleading grant application google form taken on July 29, 2020

In other instances, scammers make false offers to lure users to websites that earn advertising revenue for their owners. This could be a Facebook post advertising a flash sale at an appliance store. However, the link on the post does not direct to the official website of the store in question, but instead leads to a basic-looking website, usually running on a basic content management system, such as a WordPress site with the colors customized to imitate the brand in question.

In addition, scammers also use recognized brands to promote fake prizes and giveaways, with a social media page that has the name of the entity which looks very similar to the brand they claim to represent but with slight variation.

On June 30, 2020, a Facebook page called “South Sudan ministry of finance and planning” claimed that the South Sudanese government is handing out grants worth $41.4 million to entrepreneurs and farmers as part of an economic development program that aims to promote local investment.

“Applicants MUST be South Sudanese citizens aged between 23-57 years,” the post adds.

Screenshot of a fake Facebook post taken on July 28, 2020

Whenever you click a link on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, or WhatsApp, be sure to check whether the URL or web address matches that of the company named in the posts. 

NOTE: Some legitimate pages use link-shortening services such as Bitly that are not immediately recognizable as a spoof.

Many scams tend to focus on brands that may not have a website. The case of the Ministry of Finance and Planning, for example, which does not have a dedicated website where users can get more information on its activities, making it easier for fraudsters to hijack their brand image using a convincing domain and website or even a mere social media account.

Giveaway scams also tend to focus on people’s perceived needs. 211 Check looked into a number of scams offering fully-funded scholarships, also asking applicants to pay an application fee.

In this instance, the website offering scholarships does not identify the charities behind “fully funded” scholarships, and instead focuses on the application process for the free tanks. These scams are very tricky, be always vigilant!

Impersonation

Impersonation can be defined as pretending to be somebody else. 

It is used when someone tries to look and sound like another person, as much as possible. This greatly occurs to popular public officials. 

Fake Tourist

Under this guise, a person sends an unsuspecting individual a text expressing willingness to visit the country in which they live and appeals for their email as an official way of communication. This a move to trick the victims into thinking that the scammers are legitimate people who want to strike an official deal. 

In most cases, this turns out to be a negative experience for the victims as the [scammer] lures them into gaining their trust as the currency of the transaction. With this, the predator uses the connection established to ask for favors.

A messenger text from a scammer

Promotions or competitions shared on recently created pages or websites

Some hoaxes are shared through posts that advertise a promotion or competition, with details on how to enter and win prizes.

Before clicking on any links from the page, check to see when the page was set up and whether there are other posts on the page.

A genuine page from a major brand will have multiple posts, a small fraction of which might be promotions, and these often do not contain major, expensive giveaways. Often one-off giveaway pages will have been set up within the past month.

To identify the gaps, take a look at the date of the oldest post. Fraudulent posts are often shared on accounts that have recently been set up, sometimes just days before or even on the same day the scam was published. 

Conversely, major brands often have an extensive social media footprint, and their online pages and accounts have a lot of published posts.

Scammers may use a brand name and logo to advertise a campaign that asks users to like and share the competition to enter. Always check on the company’s legitimate website or social media accounts to verify whether the same competition or campaign has been posted there.

https://miro.medium.com/max/980/0*d1uRpEa5HU3uFdY8

Fake Samsung page using engagement bait to boost the visibility and reach of the page

Conclusion:

Online scams and hoaxes are a common occurrence in our digital lives. They can be spreaded in multiple ways including email, social media, phone calls, or text messages. 

Spotting a scam quickly will keep your personal data safe, save your time and protect you against fraud. 

At first, these posts seem pretty harmless, but by clicking the ‘Like’ button, scammers may be able to see the information they might not have been able to see before, such as your phone number and location. 

Once you click on a scam advert or message, you and your connections are more likely to be targeted with similar fraudulent material as the scammers now have your information.

Lastly, always run titles through a search engine before engaging in any online campaign. Chances are that fakes will have been reported by other users and can be found easily enough.

The golden rule is, if something about the content does not sound right, it probably is not. If you suspect something, reach out to the brand in question. They often have multiple recognized channels for engagement, and they also tend to be very responsive to customer queries. If in doubt, ask.

Scams succeed because they look like the real thing and catch you off guard when you’re not expecting it. Scammers are getting smarter and taking advantage of new technology, new products or services, and major events to create believable stories that will convince you to give them your money or personal details. 

Protect yourself

Be alert to the fact that scams exist. When dealing with uninvited contacts from people or businesses, whether it’s over the phone, by mail, email, in person, or on a social networking site, always consider the possibility that the approach may be a scam. Remember, if it looks too good to be true, it probably is.

Know who you’re dealing with: If you’ve only ever met someone online or are unsure of the legitimacy of a business, take some time to do a bit more research. Do a Google image search on photos or search the internet for others who may have had dealings with them. 

If a message or email comes from a friend and it seems unusual or out of character for them, contact your friend directly to check that it was really them that sent it.

Do not open suspicious texts, pop-up windows, or click on links or attachments in emails – delete them: If unsure, verify the identity of the contact through an independent source such as a phone book or online search. Don’t use the contact details provided in the message sent to you.

Keep your personal details secure: Put a lock on your mailbox and shred your bills and other important documents before throwing them out. Keep your passwords and pin numbers in a safe place. 

Be very careful about how much personal information you share on social media sites. Scammers can use your information and pictures to create a fake identity or to target you with a scam.

Keep your mobile devices and computers secure: Always use password protection, don’t share access with others (including remotely), update security software, and backup content. 

Protect your WiFi network with a password and avoid using public computers or WiFi hotspots to access online banking or provide personal information.

Research about the scholarship you are applying for: Make sure you make do some research about the scholarship, who is funding it, who is eligible to apply because some of these scholarships that are being offered by scammers lack full details.

Choose your passwords carefully: Choose passwords that would be difficult for others to guess and update them regularly. A strong password should include a mix of upper and lower-case letters, numbers, and symbols. Don’t use the same password for every account/profile, and don’t share your passwords with anyone.

Review your privacy and security settings on social media: If you use social networking sites, such as Facebook, be careful who you connect with and learn how to use your privacy and security settings to ensure you stay safe.  If you recognize suspicious behavior, clicked on spam, or have been scammed online, take steps to secure your account and be sure to report it.

Beware of any requests for your details or money: Never send money or give credit card details, online account details, or copies of personal documents to anyone you don’t know or trust. Don’t agree to transfer money or goods for someone else: money laundering is a criminal offense.

About the Authors: 211 Check is a fact-checking and information verification organization established to counter misinformation, hate speech and incitement to violence, while South Sudan Safety Comm is an online community/platform that provides tools, methodologies and resources on online safety of social media users and digital natives.

Visit 211check.org [web, Facebook and Twitter] or Safety Comm South Sudan [https://safetycomm.org/, Facebook and Twitter] to learn more about fact checking, online safety, information verification, among others.

END…

EXPLAINER: Do I need to get tested for COVID-19 if I’m vaccinated?

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Author: The Associated Press (AP)

Do I need to get tested for COVID-19 if I’m vaccinated?

No, you can skip routine testing, with some exceptions.

The latest guidance from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says you don’t need to be tested or to quarantine if you’re fully vaccinated, even if you’ve been exposed to someone who was sick. An exception is if you develop COVID-19 symptoms such as fever, cough and fatigue.

The updated guidance reflects recent studies showing vaccinated people face very little risk of serious disease. Even if you get an infection, you’ll be less likely to spread it to others and any symptoms will likely be milder.

As a result, the CDC says vaccinated people can also be excluded from routine workplace screening, though many companies aren’t tracking employees’ vaccination status. Screening is still recommended for people working or living in homeless shelters or prisons, due to the higher risk of outbreaks.

The relaxed guidelines also don’t apply to doctors, nurses and other health care workers, whose employers might still require testing.

However, guidance may vary by country. For example, U.S. citizens returning from abroad also still have to present a negative COVID-19 test before boarding their flights home, regardless of their vaccination status. Anyone who tests positive for COVID-19 should still isolate for 10 days, the CDC says.

As vaccinations increase, many experts expect the CDC to further relax testing guidelines, even for vaccinated people with symptoms. Many common colds and viruses can cause symptoms resembling COVID-19, experts say, which could lead to a wave of unnecessary testing in the fall.

“As we race to open back up, a whole variety of infections that we don’t routinely test for are going to cause those same symptoms,” said Dr. Rebecca Wurtz of the University of Minnesota. “You should wash your hands and stay home from work, but there’s no need to run out to be tested.”

The 211 Check with the help of medical experts is answering your questions about the coronavirus. Submit them at: [email protected]

Radio Miraya misquotes Yei Commissioner, tweeted that Yei airstrip lounge project will cost $600,000

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Author: 211 Check Editorial Team

Intensive investigative findings have revealed that UN radio misquoted Yei Commissioner over the local airstrip construction project.

On Wednesday this week, Radio Miraya tweeted that the construction work of Yei airstrip lounge would cost $600,000.

The below tweet caused uproar on social media, with many South Sudanese netizens criticizing why a small construction project would cost such a huge amount of money. 

The criticisms surfaced intensively on social media when pictures of the airstrip lounge’s foundation work emerged on Facebook and Twitter.

The project also left many online users wanting to know the details of the company contracted by the government to implement such a controversial project. 

Miraya’s misleading tweet

But when fact-checked, it was identified that the lounge construction cost is not worth $600,000, as reported by Radio Miraya.

Yei River County Commissioner, Aggrey Cyrus told Radio Miraya in an interview that the $600,000 included subsequent expansion and upgrade of the Yei airstrip to an airport, not only the pre-boarding facility (waiting lounge).

In addition, Tent Makers International – a religious company contracted by the government, refuted the claims that it was offered $600,000 for the project. It, however, revealed that it is using its own cash to construct a preliminary waiting lounge, as it continues to lobby for huge funds to implement the whole project. 

TMI’s statement over the issue

In a recent fact-check issued by Radio Miraya an hour ago, the media house said the lounge is estimated to cost $30,000 for a space provided to sit 50 air-passengers, according to the Archbishop Evangelical Presbyterian Church – a fact contrary to the first statement which stated that the lounge would accommodate 60 travelers.

Miraya’s Fact Check

DATA – Gun-violence leaves over 310 South Sudanese dead in May Alone

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Author: 211 Check Editorial team

Numerous gun related incidents across South Sudan have left at least 310 civilians killed in the month of May alone.

Last month, 211 Check documented reports of deaths across all the ten states and three administrative areas as published by two mainstream media houses renowned for reporting on crime.

According to data drawn from Radio Tamazuj and Eye Radio, Greater Pibor Administrative Area took the lead of areas with the highest number of deaths occurrences. The area registered 150 cases in May alone.

Pibor is followed by the Upper Nile and Lakes States which recorded 36 and 32 deaths respectively.

Central Equator registered 32 deaths, while Jonglei and Lakes states both recorded 30 deaths altogether. The three States were followed by Eastern Equatoria State and Abyei Administrative Area, with 14 and 11 deaths reported.

Western Equatoria State and Northern Bahr-el-Ghazal recorded the lowest deaths, having documented 5 and 4 deaths respectively.

Credit to Western Bahr-el-Ghazal State and Ruweng Administrative Area zones that did not notice deaths due to attacks. However, it needs to be known that the two areas registered several deaths in the month of April this year.

According to the above death related stories where local authorities were mainly quoted, these killings were mainly as result of inter and intra communal fighting, cattle raiding, road attacks and other forms of gun related assaults.

NOTE: This data doesn’t fully bear the actual or complete number of killings across the country, it only bears data reported by the two prominent media houses [Radio Tamazuj and Eye Radio]. There might be several other deaths recorded by various media houses or those not even reported.

Below is a bar chart bearing the statistics of deaths recorded.

Bar graph showing the data

Know your facts!

211 Check is a fact checking and information verification platform established to counter mis/disinformation, hate speech and incitement to violence. To know more about fact checking processes, click: https://211check.org/how-to-fact-check/.

Is the video of a Chinese assaulting an African engineer from South Sudan – report states NO!

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Author: Emmanuel Bida

The current trending video about a one-on-one fight between two men at a construction site didn’t happened in South Sudan as stated, according to 211 Check investigations.

In the past forty-eight hours, there has been a video circulating online, in which a Chinese man is seen attacking an African engineer at what seems to be a construction site.

But is the video from South Sudan? No.

The trending video

In the now/above video trending on Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp, 211 Check found out that the incident didn’t happened in South Sudan as being claimed by many online users.

The occurrence happened at Tonkolili Iron Ore mine in Sierra Leone, where a Chinese miner reportedly attacked a Sierra Leonean Safety Officer, while was carrying out safety briefing. The reason behind the attack is not clear.

The Chinese Rail Way Seventh Group (CRSG) and Kingho Mining Company limited have both on June 9, 2021 issued press statements condemning the act, saying the conflict was “an expected and isolated case”.

The statement obtained by 211 Check states that the Chinese man has since been relieved of his duty as seen below statement.

Statement

#FactsMatters

Avoid sharing fake fabricated content. To know more about our fact-checking process, click, https://211check.org/how-to-fact-check/ or contact us via 211check.org to present a claim – our team will immediately fact-check it and send you an immediate feedback.

Fact Checked: Is online renowned Unicaf University a legitimate institution?

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Author: Emmanuel Bida 

Online scholarships offered by Unicaf University are not fraudulent, according to the 211 Check investigations.   

Due to the increase in online deception, many South Sudanese have been wondering if the Unicaf University is a legitimate and an accredited learning institution in Africa and globally.

Credible research done by 211 Check identified Unicaf University as accredited by the British Accreditation Council, Zambia Higher Education Authority and Malawi National Council for Higher Education.

The certifications, therefore qualifies the institution to be a genuine organisation with administrative offices in Cyprus, which manages Unicaf Universities in Zambia and Malawi respectively. 

211 Check findings also identified Unicaf University as a member of the United Nations Academic Impact (UNAI) and the Southern African Regional Universities Association (SARUA).

Evidence

In an exclusive interview with 211 Check on Monday, Okello Peter – a South Sudanese Unicaf’s communications student testified that the university is recognised.

“I have actually done some courses with Unicaf, before I got the scholarship including a course on professional communication in the workplace. 

“They offer scholarships in which they work with other universities across the globe mostly in the United Kingdom,” said Okello, currently studying Master of Arts and Communication, Digital Strategy at Liverpool John Moores University, an affiliate of Unicaf.

It should also be noted that there has been no record or complaints available in the public domain, regarding Unicaf University being a scam, since it was founded in 2012.

 The institution has an active Twitter handle, Facebook page, LinkedIn, and Instagram.

According to Whois – an online tool used to verify fake websites, Unicaf’s web is legit, as seen in the link: https://www.whois.com/whois/unicaf.org

Unicaf’s website domain details

Conclusion:

Unicaf University online scholarships are not fraudulent. The institution is legitimate/authentic.

NOTE: Be aware of numerous online FAKE institutions who scam individuals or groups, in the name of awarding scholarships.

Internet fraud: Is a type of cybercrime scam or deception carried out on the Internet and could involve hiding of information or providing incorrect information for the purpose of tricking victims out of money, property, and inheritance.

To prevent it, confirm the e-mail of the sender before you respond, make sure you ask for proof of their identity and do a thorough quick research about the company they are calling you from. NEVER give out confidential information when asked either by email or on phone.

To know more about our fact-checking process, click, https://211check.org/how-to-fact-check/ or contact us via 211check.org to present a claim – our team will immediately fact-check it and send you an immediate feedback.

South Sudan’s ambassador to China isn’t suffering from AstraZeneca vaccine complications

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Author: Garang Abraham

South Sudan’s ambassador to China John Andruga Duku is appealing to the public to disregard the trending news that he is suffering from AstraZeneca vaccine related complications after receiving the jab.

According to a Facebook post seen by 211 Check, It’s alleged that Amb. Andruga is admitted at a Nairobi hospital after suffering from complications related to AstraZeneca jab, he took days.

“Oxford AstraZeneca doses need to be investigated for its safety and immunogenicity. See what happens to South Sudan ambassador to China #John Andruga Duku after receiving the Oxford AstraZeneca Covid-19 jab” reads the misleading post shared by some online Alternative Media houses and other Facebook and WhatsApp users.

The below image bears the deceptive post.

Misleading post

However, when fact-checked, the posts were identified as misleading and fabricated content, as explained below.

Facts why the posts are misleading.

Fact No. 1

Ambassador John Andruga who was discharged recently from Nairobi Hospital is suffering from varicose veins, not from jab’s complications as stated.

“I had surgery on both legs due to bilateral varicose veins with multiple incompetent perforations with a statis ulcer. As a result emergency bilateral multiple ligations and stripping of the varicose veins was done.

“Prof Dr.John Adwok referred me to Dr John  K. Karuiki  who acted promptly with Dr J. Gohl  performed successfuly emergency surgery. I am now recovering at home with my family in Nairobi. Due high medical bill, I am discharged to continue medication from home” Amb. Andruga told 211 Check this afternoon.

Fact No. 2

According to Amb. Andruga, he has not received any Covid-19 vaccination.

“I did not get any of the vaccine of Covid-19 up to now. The causes for the swelling on by each leg was explained by the doctors as bilateral varicose veins with multiple incompetent perforations with statis ulcer” Amb. Andruga added.

Fact No. 3 About the sickness he is suffering from

According to pictures seen and narratives received by 211 Check, Andruga’ illness isn’t associated with any Covid-19 vaccine conditions. As he stated in his message, the sickness is purely correct and relevant, according to our online findings from prominent global medical schools and institutions.

According to Wikipedia: Varicose veins, also known as varicoses, are a medical condition in which superficial veins become enlarged and twisted. These veins typically develop in the legs, just under the skin. Varicose veins usually cause few symptoms.

EVIDENCE: You can compare and contrast Wikipedia’s image bearing short details of varicose veins, with pictures bearing Amb. Andruga’s feet taken at Nairobi Hospital. The conditions varicose veins in both images are similar.

Wikipedia’s short details of Varicose veins
Ambassador’s feet due to varicose veins

Ambassador goes mad over information sharing: Amb. John claims that a renowned journalist working in a top government office shared his pictures without consent, lamenting ill-intentions towards him.

“I was surprised who put the pictures, why and how did the person get the pictures which I sent privately to my Minister to inform her despite surgery and swelling of both my legs” said angry Andruga.

Ambassador goes live to address the speculations: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1O-gKk9lgatiuX3fjul67kghT1MEZYzdO

#FactsMatter, don’t fall victim to fake news; let’s fight the spread of misinformation on both mainstream and alternative media.

To know about our fact-checking process, check the link below, https://211check.org/how-to-fact-check/ or contact us via 211check.org to present a claim – our team will immediately fact-check it and send you immediate feedback.

Image blunder: Bentiu TV uses a wrong picture to tell a story

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Author: Garang Abraham

Online investigative outcomes have showed that renowned unregulated media house Bentiu TV used a wrong image to tell a story.

Bentiu TV on Monday via Facebook posted a wrong image to describe the recent story of inter-communal violence which occurred in Ulang County of Upper State over the weekend.

“Prayers for Ulang. Our heartfelt condolences to the families who lose their beloved ones. Over 42 people reportedly killed in yesterday’s fight. Below picture are people displaced from their homes” reads a Facebook post by Bentiu TV – a page that has 40, 203 followers.

The screenshot of the post can be seen below.

However, when checked by 211 Check, the image was misused.

According to facts online, the image was first used on March 22, 2021 at 6:09pm CAT depicting children at Orphanage Center in the Capital Juba.

The image is credited to Prophet Peter D, as seen in the below image.

Note: Avoid spreading false information, don’t rush into sharing content that you aren’t sure of or you don’t know its origin.

To know about our fact-checking process, click on https://211check.org/how-to-fact-check/ or contact us via 211check.org to present a claim – our team will immediately fact-check and send you immediate feedback. 

Fact Checked: Was the giraffe killed by a passenger plane in South Sudan?

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Author: Emmanuel Bida

Online fact findings have indicated that there was no occurrence that led to the killing of a giraffe by a passenger plane in South Sudan. 

On May 6th, a Twitter user posted a picture of a dead giraffe that collided with a passenger plane. 

The tweet was caption “Only in South Sudan”, which according to our analysis literally meant the Twitter user was reporting, that the incident happened in South Sudan, as seen in the below picture. 

The misplaced post

211 Check findings found out that the alleged image implying the event to have happened in South Sudan, is for an incident involving Pilot Tico McNutt, a researcher for African Wild Dogs that collided with a giraffe at Santawani airstrip in Botswana close to Maun Okavango Delta.

According to Aviation Safety Network, the event that occurred on October 4, 2004 left the giraffe dead. The Cessna 172, with registration V5-ETS crashed while taking off.

Fortunately, out of the four occupants, there were no fatalities reported, except the pilot who sustained minor injuries.

CONCLUSION: The incident didn’t happen in South Sudan.

#FactsMatter, Don’t fall victim to fake news; let’s fight the spread of misinformation on both mainstream and alternative media.

Note: To avoid spreading false information, don’t rush into sharing content that you aren’t sure of or you don’t know its origin.

To know about our fact-checking process, check the link below, https://211check.org/how-to-fact-check/  or contact us via www.211check.org to

More links:

https://www.montanaoutdoor.com/2013/08/runway-collision-with-cessna-and-giraffe/
https://aviation-safety.net/wikibase/43570

Disregard the trending 5,000 SSP banknote, its fake!

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By: 211 Check Editorial Team

South Sudan’s Central Bank appeals to online and offline communities to disregard the trending 5,000 South Sudanese Pounds bank note. 

This comes after many online users expressed concerns, why the bank would introduce the new note, yet the recently launched 1000 SSP bank note had not met its intertest.  

This week, a picture of a five thousand South Sudanese Pounds note (5,000SSP) went viral online on various social media platforms. Many users alleged that the Central Bank of South Sudan had plans underway to print the note which it intends to bring into circulation.

However, after 211 Check fact-checked and verified the bank note critically and carefully, the team found the image as manipulated. 

Below are the facts explaining why it is fake.

Fact #1: The figure “5” is not consistent (different font) with the 5 SSP, 50 SSP, and 500 SSP that all have the same fonts. 

In addition, the “5” looks misplaced darker than the zeros. It has also the same graphic design as the 10 SSP note. Therefore, a doctored image of the 10 SSP note.

Fact #2: There was no official communication from the Central Bank of South Sudan, stating plans of launching a new note.

Speaking at a press briefing today (Tuesday), Central Bank Governor, Dier Tong dismissed the social media rumors. He described the trending banknote as misinformation and fake banknote. 

In February this year, the same fake bank note surfaced online. But the Central Bank governor dismissed it, stressing that the bank had only launched the 1000 SSP note. 

To know about our fact-checking process check the link below, https://211check.org/how-to-fact-check/ or contact us via 211check.org to present a claim – our team will immediately fact-check it and send you an immediate feedback.