THIS IS NOT JUBA FREEDOM BRIDGE211 Check

Fact-Check: This image is not an aerial view of Freedom Bridge in Juba

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The image is of the Stueng Trang-Kroch Chhmar Cambodia-China Friendship Bridge, a 1,131-meter-long and 13.5-meter-wide bridge spanning across the Mekong River and connecting Kampong Cham and Tboung Khmum provinces in southeastern Cambodia.

By Emmanuel Bida Thomas

A Facebook post on Thursday, 25th November 2021 with an image purportedly of the Freedom Bridge in Juba is FALSE

“South Sudan government unveils the new Freedom Bridge in the Kator-lologo area. The bridge is soon to be open before the end of the year,” reads a post shared by Ramciel Broadcasting, a news and media page with over 18,000 followers.

Misleading Facebook post on Thursday, 25th November 2021 with an image purportedly of the Freedom Bridge in Juba

However, a reverse image search of the photo returned several of the same images used for at least two days. The image is of the Stueng Trang-Kroch Chhmar Cambodia-China Friendship Bridge, a 1,131-meter-long and 13.5-meter-wide bridge spanning across the Mekong River and connecting Kampong Cham and Tboung Khmum provinces in southeastern Cambodia.

The bridge was inaugurated on 23rd November 2021 in the Stueng Trang district of Cambodia.

Meanwhile, the Freedom Bridge, named after the independence of the Republic of South Sudan and being built with a grant from the government of Japan is slated to be opened next year on 6th of July according to the Japanese Resident Engineer Omeda Norio.

Here are latest pictures of Freedom Bridge:

Conclusion:

211 Check has looked into image purportedly of the Freedom Bridge in Juba and finds it to be FALSE

#FactsMatter, Don’t be a victim of fake news; instead, let’s fight misinformation on both mainstream and alternative media. To avoid spreading false information, don’t share content you’re not sure about or don’t know where it came from.

To learn more about our fact-checking process, go to https://211check.org/how-to-fact-check/ or send us a WhatsApp message at +211 917 298 255 to present a claim, and our team will immediately fact-check it and respond.

260370917_426395955658036_3316745237288104446_n211 Check

Fact-Check: Images of wounded man not taken from South Sudan

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By Charles Lotara

Disturbing images of a man under intensive care unit are being peddled by social media platforms with claims that the man was found unconscious in part of South Sudan.

False Information Being Peddled on Facebook

On Tuesday evening, Insight Juba, a Facebook page with over 16k followers boldly claimed that the images are those of Deng Wol Deng, a university graduate from Western Bhar-el-Ghazal State who got ambushed along Juba – Nimule Highway.

In another staggering claim, the page says the victim in the images was on his way to Eastern Equatoria to assist a group of physically challenged children when his car was attacked along the road leaving two people dead with one survivor.

With scant details of the incident and with no citation of official sources, the page called on the general public to avoid travelling along the Juba – Nimule Highway and urged security forces to provide protection.

Insight Juba, which was created in 2020, cited 64 Tribes, another Facebook page as the primary source of their story.

However, a quick search through the Facebook page of 64 Tribes in relation to the story returned no result.

There have been no official reports of armed violence along the Juba – Nimule Highway in the last two months.

A geo-location search using Pic2Map returned no EXIF data for obvious reasons. Pic2Map requires unaltered photo files in order to process the data, which is most likely not the case with this image. And, social networking sites like Facebook and Twitter strip out EXIF data from uploaded photos, which is true of the images circulating.

But a Google reverse search showed that the incident the man in the picture was caught up in actually happened in Omdurman during the #ParadeNovember2021 when Sudanese took to the streets to register their displeasure with the military plot to bequeath civilian rule.

The situation led to civil unrest with an unconfirmed number of people getting either injured or killed. The images were first posted on 22/11/2021 within 6:47PM by two Twitter accounts all claiming that the man whose identity was not established at the time, was in a critical condition and admitted at Al-Waad Hospital in Omdurman, one of the most populated cities in Sudan.

But both Twitter accounts carry pseudonyms and their bios only imply that they are pro-revolution. However, this does not disqualify the possibility of the images being taken in Sudan as they first appeared on Sudanese-run Twitter platforms.

#FactsMatter, Don’t be a victim of fake news; instead, let’s fight misinformation on both mainstream and alternative media. To avoid spreading false information, don’t share content you’re not sure about or don’t know where it came from.

To learn more about our fact-checking process, go to https://211check.org/how-to-fact-check/ or send us a WhatsApp message at +211 917 298 255 to present a claim, and our team will immediately fact-check it and respond.

IMG-20211120-WA0015211 Check

Hoax: The Bank of South Sudan is NOT giving 100,000 pounds to lucky winners for its 10th anniversary

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Though it is true that the Bank of South Sudan is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year, the 100,000 pounds cash prize to lucky winners is a HOAX, and NOT LEGITIMATE. If you receive such links, kindly ignore them and let others know about such online fraud. 

By 211 Check Editorial Team

A promotional website link being shared on WhatsApp claiming that people stand chances of getting 100,000 pounds through a questionnaire as the Bank of South Sudan celebrates its 10th anniversary is a HOAX.

The hoax through an unrelated site leads to a page with the following multiple choice questions:

1. Do you know about the Bank of South Sudan?

2. How old are you?

3. How do you think of Bank of South Sudan?

4. Are you male or female?

After answering the questions, you see a congratulatory message asking you to select a correct box with your prize inside.

After selecting a box, it then tells you have won 100,000 pounds and that you should tell 5 groups or 20 friends on WhatsApp about the promotion. They claim the gift will be delivered within 5-7 days.

Fake Pages

However, the promotion is not legitimate, it is a hoax. For some online users wondering what makes the promotion a hoax, below are tips of facts about this online fraud.

#Fact1: The link is highly suspicious.

If you closely look at the link, it goes to a site which is not an original or official Bank of South Sudan website link or domain. You should note that the official website for the Central Bank of South Sudan is https://www.boss.gov.ss/

The fake promotion links moves from one website to another, which 211 Check found were unrelated Chinese-registered (.cn) domains.

In addition, the above link is not Encrypted, which would start with https://. Note that legitimate websites will use SSL-Encrypted links (with HTTPS, not HTTP). When you see such links, DO NOT CLICK on them.

#Fact2: Bank of South Sudan’s 10th Anniversary was in July 2021

Bank of South Sudan was established in July 2011 and it has not been celebrating its anniversary since then.

#Fact3: The Bank of South Sudan doesn’t offer prizes or awards. The Bank of South Sudan released a statement on Wednesday, 18/08/2021 following a similar hoax in August this year that it was warning the public “about fraudulent activities being perpetrated in its name on social media through a fraud scheme”

“This scam uses Bank of South Sudan’s brand names and logo in order to make the prize look legitimate. They claim that the BoSS offers prizes worth 300 thousand United States Dollars. This is not true, the BoSS does not offer prizes, awards, or funds,” reads a statement shared by the Bank of South Sudan through its Facebook Page.

#Fact4: The promotion page has so many troubling clues

If you click on the link, you will be led to a page, claiming you will get a chance to win 100,000 pounds – a page that is full of grammatical mistakes, something an actual Bank of South Sudan website would not have.

When you click on the comments of people who claimed to have won the prizes, the links don’t take you to any reliable web. Our analysis shows that the messages are all ‘FAKE’ placed there to lure you.

In addition, if you check the code of the comments, you can see that all comments and pictures were manually inserted on the web.

#Fact5: You will always win the 100,000 pounds prize

You can try the contest any number of times, and you will ALWAYS win the 100,000 pounds.

Why? Because the next step involves you sharing this with 5 groups or 20 friends on WhatsApp. So, no matter how many times you participate, you will ALWAYS win the free 100,000 SSP. Do you think that’s the case with a real contest? Of course NO!

#Fact6: Website information through Whois Search

The WHOIS information of the imposter website reveals it was registered on November 19, 2021, in the United States while the legitimate Bank of South Website is https://www.boss.gov.ss/ 

Conclusion:

Though it is true that the Bank of South Sudan is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year, the 100,000 pounds cash prize to lucky winners is a HOAX, and NOT LEGITIMATE. If you receive such links, kindly ignore them and let others know about such online fraud. 

Do not provide your account details or personal identification information to a scammer. Don’t share or click suspicious links on the internet.

#FactsMatter, Don’t be a victim of fake news; instead, let’s fight misinformation on both mainstream and alternative media. To avoid spreading false information, don’t share content you’re not sure about or don’t know where it came from.

To learn more about our fact-checking process, go to https://211check.org/how-to-fact-check/ or send us a WhatsApp message at +211 917 298 255 to present a claim, and our team will immediately fact-check it and respond.

259047083_422888492675449_2375626077867734853_n211 Check

Fact-Check: Does this image show people pushing a plane at Yei airstrip? No.

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A Facebook image purporting to show people pushing a plane at Yei airstrip is FALSE.

The post shared on Wednesday, 17th November was partly captioned, “This pic was taken early today from Yei International Airport…”The author, in his post, was wondering why the airstrip’s runway was in a poor shape.

However, Google reverse image search results show that the picture was used at least two years before now.

The image was shared on 7th and 13th October 2019 on Facebook and Twitter respectively describing an event that happened in Somalia.

An official at Yei airstrip also dismissed the claim as ‘NOT TRUE’. He says the incident depicted in the picture didn’t happen there.

Conclusion:

211 Check has looked into an image claiming to show a plane being pushed at Yei airstrip and finds it to be FALSE.

FAKE TWITTER ACCOUNT FOR THE MINISTER OF FINANCE211 Check

Fact-Check: Is this a legitimate Twitter Account for the New Finance Minister?

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Spam, online scams and frauds, identity theft and issues related to online purchases are a serious issue in the online world. Have you come across a suspicious Facebook Page, Instagram or Twitter Account? Do you need help investigating it? We are here for you

By 211 Check Editorial Team

Facebook and Twitter Users were taken by surprise following the emergence of accounts in the names of the new Minister for Finance and Economic Planning, Agak Achuil Lual.

Fake Twitter Account with the names Agak Achuil Lual (@LualMinister)

Are the accounts authentic? Well, we checked and here are our findings:

211 Check made a brief investigation and established that the official twitter account for the minister is: Hon. Agak Achuil Lual (@honagaklual) created on 16th November 2021

https://twitter.com/honagaklual?s=20

His Facebook Page is Hon. Agak Achuil Lual (@honagaklual) also created on 16th November 2021

facebook.com/honagaklual  

A member of the minister’s media team confirmed to 211 Check that the above are the official social media accounts being managed by the Minister’s office.

Conclusion:

Spam, online scams and frauds, identity theft and issues related to online purchases are a serious issue in the online world.

Have you come across a suspicious Facebook Page, Instagram or Twitter Account? Do you need help investigating it? We are here for you

#FactsMatter, Don’t be a victim of fake news; instead, let’s fight misinformation on both mainstream and alternative media. To avoid spreading false information, don’t share content you’re not sure about or don’t know where it came from.

To learn more about our fact-checking process, go to https://211check.org/how-to-fact-check/ or send us a WhatsApp message at +211 917 298 255 to present a claim, and our team will immediately fact-check it and respond.

Opera Snapshot_2021-11-15_174048_public.flourish.studio211 Check

Data Story: South Sudan’s External Borrowing since 2017

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An overview of South Sudan’s external public debt from the International Monetary Fund, World Bank, China Exim Bank, Qatar National Bank and the Afreximbank from 2017 to date

By Okot Emmanuel

According to the IMF, South Sudan’s external public debt was estimated at US$1,355 million (41 percent of GDP) as of end-June 2020.

Debt to the World Bank amounted to US$79 million on IDA terms, while debt to the African Development Bank (AfDB) amounted to US$28 million.

US$150 million had been borrowed from China Exim Bank to upgrade the Juba International Airport.

Debt to the QNB amounted to US$627 million. Oil-related short-term loans have declined significantly, from an estimated US$338 million in March 2019 to US$99 million in June 2020.

In FY19/20 around 81 percent of total loans (46 percent: QNB loans; 35 percent: oil advances and Afreximbank loans) are highly non-concessional.

South Sudan has not requested to participate in the Debt Service Suspension Initiative.

In 2019 South Sudan public debt was 1,281 million Euros (approximately 1, 434 million dollars), a decrease of 724 million since 2018. This amount means that the debt in 2019 reached 31.26% of South Sudan GDP, a 15.04 percentage point fall from 2018, when it was 46.3% of GDP.

South Sudan External Borrowing 2017 – 2020

Slightly higher oil production and faster oil-price recovery relative to the projections in the 2020 DSA have modestly improved South Sudan’s debt-servicing capacity.

The latest oil production data from the authorities show slightly higher oil production of about 170 barrels per day (bpd) in February 2021 compared to the about 165 bpd for the same period assumed in the 2020 DSA.

The latest WEO also projects higher oil prices in 2021 and the next few years; the projected average Brent oil prices for 2021 and 2022 are 58.5 and 54.8, respectively in the February 2021 WEO compared to 43.8 and 45.6, respectively, in October 2020 WEO.

As more than 90 percent of total exports and government revenue come from oil, these positive oil-sector developments improved South Sudan’s debt-servicing capacity.

A pie-chart showing South Sudan total external debt outstanding.

Okot Emmanuel, a Data Speaks Fellow at #defyhatenow South Sudan, wrote this data story, which was edited by 211 Check Editor Emmanuel Bida Thomas and approved for publication by Steve Topua, Data Analyst and Trainer. It’s part of the ongoing #defyhatenow South Sudan Data Speaks Fellowship program with funding from the European Union Delegation to South Sudan.

About South Sudan Data Speaks Fellowship: 

This is a two-month and half data journalism fellowship for South Sudanese content creators with an aim of educating participants on the fundamentals of data journalism through in-depth training facilitated by experienced data analysts.

The fellows have been selected from across South Sudan and they are trained in data sourcing/mining, data analysis, and data visualization for two months and half (October to Mid December) 

Each fellow will produce a minimum of three (03) data stories during the fellowship. The focus will be on increasing access to information 

JOSEPHINE JOSEPH LAGU SCAM (1)211 Check

Scam Alert: The Business Opportunity on the Facebook Page “Josephine Joseph Lagu Foundation” is a Hoax

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When contacted by 211 Check Josephine Joseph Lagu who is the current minister for Agriculture and Food Security, said the business opportunity is fake and that she has not set up any foundation

By 211 Check Editorial Team

There is an ongoing fake business opportunity being run in a Facebook ad on a page named “Josephine Joseph Lagu Foundation.”

The post claims that following a successful Trade deal between the so called Josephine Joseph Lagu Foundation and the Commonwealth, they had signed a Trade and Investment Agreement to sponsor and invest in small and medium enterprises across South Sudan

Here is the full text:

“Business Sponsorship Opportunity!

Following a successful Trade deal between our Foundation and the Commonwealth, We have signed a Trade and Investment Agreement to sponsor and invest in small and medium enterprises across the country. This investment is aimed at supporting farmers and businessmen to cope with the changing global trends. If you want our foundation to invest in your business/farm kindly read more details and apply via link: https://tinyurl.com/5zbpt95p”

Fake Business Opportunity Post

The post then directs people to click on a link that takes them to the following google form requesting personal information among others:

Google Form of the Fake Business Opportunity

Findings:

211 Check made an investigation and found the following:

The Facebook Page was created yesterday, Friday, 12th November 2021 and immediately ran a paid Facebook ad. Opportunities on new platforms on any digital space are highly suspicious.

We contacted Josephine Joseph Lagu who is the current minister for Agriculture and Food Security, but she denied owning a foundation or being aware of one in her name.

“The business opportunity being run in my name is fake. I have not set up any foundation, neither am I aware of any in my name,” Josephine Lagu told 211 Check Saturday morning.

Conclusion:

The business opportunity being run on the Facebook Page Josephine Joseph Lagu Foundation is a SCAM. There is no legal Foundation named Josephine Joseph Lagu in South Sudan. 

#FactsMatter, Don’t be a victim of fake news; instead, let’s fight misinformation on both mainstream and alternative media. To avoid spreading false information, don’t share content you’re not sure about or don’t know where it came from.

To learn more about our fact-checking process, go to https://211check.org/how-to-fact-check/ or send us a WhatsApp message at +211 917 298 255 to present a claim, and our team will immediately fact-check it and respond.

SAUNA FACEBOOK POST211 Check

Fact-Check: Does going to the sauna cause male infertility?

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A medical expert tells 211 Check that normally, Exposure to high temperatures, like hot baths and saunas can cause the temperature of the testes to become too hot. This can kill sperm and lower sperm count. However, this effect is only temporary, and counts will go back to normal once the hot tub is avoided.

By 211 Check Editorial Team

“Going to the sauna can cause infertility in men. Your balls are not designed for that kind of temperature!” reads a Facebook post.

Facebook Post Claiming that going to the Sauna causes infertility in men

211 Check, fact-checked the claim:

Findings:

A medical practitioner, in Juba, Case Nicholas Thomas, tells 211 Check that “It is not proven yet, but it is believed that going to the sauna for hot tubs or hot baths can raise the temperature of the testes, eventually killing sperm and lowering sperm count!”

According to him, no study has shown that going to the sauna can cause infertility to men, it is just a belief of the people yet.

Another doctor, Lasu Kenyigo Sallah, tells 211 Check that normally, Exposure to high temperatures, like hot baths and  saunas can cause the temperature of the testes to become too hot. This can kill sperm and lower sperm count. However, this effect is only temporary, and counts will go back to normal once the hot tub is avoided.

He, however, warns that prolonged exposure has a significant effect in the long run. Men’s testicles hang outside basically because the temperature of the body is hot (35.6° to 36.8°). And also when the temperature outside is too cold, they will move inside. This is how they manage their economy. So, it is advisable to avoid prolonged exposure to sauna especially those in mid 30s and above.

A study, conducted by researchers at the University of Padova in Italy, published online in the journal Human Reproduction also says frequent visits to the sauna may lower men’s sperm count, although the effect appears to be temporary. 

Conclusion:

It is NOT PROVEN that going to the sauna can cause male infertility.

Still, most fertility experts would advise that men having trouble conceiving should keep their testicles cool. Hot baths, showers and wearing tight-fitting underwear can all raise the temperature of the testicles.

#FactsMatter, Don’t be a victim of fake news; instead, let’s fight misinformation on both mainstream and alternative media. To avoid spreading false information, don’t share content you’re not sure about or don’t know where it came from.

To learn more about our fact-checking process, go to https://211check.org/how-to-fact-check/ or send us a WhatsApp message at +211 917 298 255 to present a claim, and our team will immediately fact-check it and respond.

DID 30 IDPS DIE OF HUNGER211 Check

Fact-Check: Have 30 IDPs died of hunger in Ezo County, Western Equatoria State?

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The report that Thirty IDPs from Tambura died of hunger in Ezo County is FALSE and MISLEADING. Both the Ezo County Commissioner and the County County Coordinator for the Relief and Rehabilitation Commission say 15 people died.

By 211 Check Editorial Team

The Dawn Newspaper, an English Daily in South Sudan reported on Tuesday, 9th November that 30 Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) from Tambura County had died of hunger in Tambura, Western Equatoria State.

The Dawn Newspaper Headline on Tuesday, November 09. 2021

“Thirty IDPs from Tambura die of hunger in Ezo County,” reads a headline on the Dawn Newspaper. 

“At least over 25 internally displaced persons are said to have died of starvation in Ezo County of Western Equatoria,” partly reads the report.

Findings:

When contacted by 211 Check, Ezo County Commissioner, Abel Sudan said they have only verified 15  Internally displaced people who have died of starvation across Ezo county.

“Yes, the accurate number of people that can be verified who have lost their lives as a result of hunger on the ground is 15 as of Saturday, 6th November 2021  upon completion of our assessment,” Abel Sudan told 211 Check via phone on Wednesday morning. “The Dawn Newspaper might have misquoted me,” he added.

He also told Radio Miraya on November 9th that 15 of the IDPs died of starvation

Siani Martin, the Coordinator for Relief and Rehabilitation Commission in Ezo County also said in a written note seen by 211 Check that the leader of the Internally Displaced Persons reported a total of 15 deaths “without proper sickness” and linked to lack of food.

Conclusion

The report that Thirty IDPs from Tambura died of hunger in Ezo County is FALSE and MISLEADING. Both the Ezo County Commissioner and the County Coordinator for the Relief and Rehabilitation Commission say 15 people died of hunger related issues.

#FactsMatter, Don’t be a victim of fake news; instead, let’s fight misinformation on both mainstream and alternative media. To avoid spreading false information, don’t share content you’re not sure about or don’t know where it came from.

To learn more about our fact-checking process, go to https://211check.org/how-to-fact-check/ or send us a WhatsApp message at +211 917 298 255 to present a claim, and our team will immediately fact-check it and respond.

INVESTIGATION211 Check

Online Fraud: A case study of SMK Electronics Corporation and Prime Express Logistics

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How highly sophisticated fraudsters and cyber crime network scam South Sudanese in fake business transactions

By Oriba Douglas 

Introduction:

“I have been cheated $450 by online shopping scammers,” claims Mokili Elias Justin, a Juba South Sudanese based in a report to 211 Check

He then goes ahead to list a company calling itself SMK Electronics Corporation, who through their eye-catching advertisements on Facebook, lured him into a transaction that saw the Company SMK Electronics Corporation convince him, Mokili Elias Justin, to buy from them. He was then referred to WhatsApp, where a United States phone number +15108546513, helped seal the deal through a booking and payment. 

Facebook Page of the SMK Electronics Corporation

Payment was done as per wishes of “the WhatsApp contact +15108546513” and was to be deposited through local money transfers based in Juba whom the WhatsApp contact knew so very well. 

The recipients of the payments were Kenyan numbers +254769925315 and +254741963091. 

SMK Electronics then assured him that a courier calling itself Prime Express Logistics (https://www.primeexpresslogistics.com) had been given his personal details i.e., Full Name and Location taken and will do the delivery. He was then given a tracking number: 1633159726 so as to track the shipment of his package. He was then referred to visit https://www.primeexpresslogistics.com/track.php to track his package from there. 

On him visiting the site and inputting the given tracking number, a static HTML page displays in table format, the expected delivery date which was 04/10/2021 together with both the shipper’s and receiver’s information parallel to one another. 

He, Moikili Elias Justin, then emailed Prime Express Logistics to inquire about his package as it was experiencing a delay. 

They replied to him and stated that he had to pay customs fees to the tune of $152 and it had to be paid through Mpesa to the phone number +254769925315 registered under Ngatia Kagema in Nairobi, Kenya.

Alarmingly after going through all this, the package never arrived and he was totally ignored by all parties to this transaction. (Both the online seller and the courier)

Investigation:

211 Check started this investigation by collaborating on all of Mokili Elias Justin’s claims. It was found that what his claims were, was indeed fact! He had been parted from his hard-earned cash without receiving the product he bought online.

211 Check went through screenshots of conversations between Mokili Elias Justin and SMK Electronics Corporation (the online business), then that of his conversations with the WhatsApp number +15108546513 (Agent of the online business) and finally his conversations with Prime Express Logistics (The courier to do the delivery) through screenshots of emails between them.

From these conversations, 211 Check highlighted the following:

  • Company doing the sales is calling itself SMK Electronics Corporation
  • WhatsApp number +15108546513 is acting as company representative for SMK Electronics Corporation
  • Prime Express Logistics, was the courier that Mokili’s package would be delivered through

211 Check after careful thorough investigation on Company profiles and registration details can confidently state the following on the highlighted points

  1. SMK Electronics Corporation, USA (www.smkusa.com) has no official Facebook page thus the one Mokili Elias Justin came across through Facebook promoted content advertisement is an imposter taking advantage of this absence. The Facebook page calling itself SMK Electronics Corporation is a fraudulent imposter seeking to confuse intending buyers that it is indeed the original SMK Electronics Corporation, USA (which is a subsidiary of a manufacturing company). Its parent company is SMK Corporation which is headquartered in Tokyo, Japan. (www.smk.co.jp) 
  2. The WhatsApp number +15108546513 is registered under the names Zizzey Biz Lines and is not traceable to a person or registered business. 211 Check can firmly state that this number is in no way a legitimate number for a representative of the SMK Electronics Corporation, USA. Official contacts can be found on this site (www.smkusa.com) 
  3. There is a registered company called Prime Express Logistics (https://www.primexpresslogistics.com) The one fronted to Mokili is also calling itself Prime Express Logistics (https://www.primeexpresslogistics.com) is a known fraudulent website seeking to scam customers.

Red Flags:

An in-depth look at both the online business and courier under scrutiny was able to produce facts that can be grouped under “Red flags” (suspicious, irregularities, misleading, not true)

Red Flag 1: The Courier – Prime Express Logistics

  • The site (https://www.primeexpresslogistics.com)  purported to be for Prime Express delivery has no any other functionality apart from what is seen on the home page plus the page where you are made to believe that you will be able to track your package shipments. The site has no working buttons linking to services, contact us and about us. Their sign-up page links to (https://www.courier.citysprint.uk) – a site that is totally unrelated to this one.
  • The email provided on the site [email protected] is not working.
  • The images used on the site are also present on another site called Prime Express Logistics (https://www.primexpresslogistics.com)
  • No mention of any office locations or physical local or headquarters anywhere on the site.
  • No mention of how said company is to deliver your goods to you.
  • No e-commerce capabilities on the site, no clear financial documentation on conducting business with them.
  • The location given “300 Lighting Way Secaucus, NJ 07094, USA.” points to Safilo, USA (A manufacturing company). Next to the location information is a telephone field that is deliberately left empty. (Like really, why won’t a company want to share their office telephone line?!?)

Red Flag 2 :  The Facebook Page – SMK Electronics Corporation

  • The Facebook Page created in the name of SMK Electronics Corporation has only 3 likes. Thankfully, their promoted content too has minimal interactions. Averaging 1 comment per post. It was opened in August 2020.
  • It is a fraudulent disguise as SMK Corporation (www.smk.co.jp) even using the official SMK Corporation logo.
  • Be informed that the SMK corporation started in Japan as a manufacturing Company in 1925.

Red Flag 3: The WhatsApp dealings

  • The transaction on what was to be bought was done and concluded on WhatsApp. Payment directives were also given through WhatsApp to local Mpesa registered numbers in Kenya.

Red Flag 4: Unreceipted Payments

  • 211 Check saw no receipts for the payments to Kenyan numbers +254769925315 and +254741963091 with exception to Mpesa Agent logs. The online seller did not officially acknowledge any of the payments.

Tools used in the analysis:

Crowd tangle analysis on the Facebook page SMK Electronics Corporation revealed its low content reach with its main market target as South Sudan and also ruled out any current ongoing advertising by the page. It also disclosed that the page only has 3 followers.

Analysing the website www.primeexpresslogistics.com using https://whois.domaintools.com‘s algorithm showed that the website was registered and hosted in February 2021 on a 1 year license. All other information would help identify the site owners has not been made public by the algorithm on command from www.namecheaphosting.com 

A look at the source code to the website indicates a hastily assembled site with only two functioning pages i.e., www.primeexpresslogistics.com and www.primeexpresslogistics.com/track.php. All other buttons on site do not function and content is outdated, reading 2019 yet site was hosted in Feb, 2021.Further Look into the source code using Chrome browser Developer tools indicates links to other unrelated sites meaning this web-paged was hastily copied and pasted from some other site on the internet then refurbished to give it a new external look and feel.

The page www.primeexpresslogistics.com ranked the lowest score on the site www.scam-detector.com with a score of 1.5 out of 100.Being branded a highly suspicious and dubious account according to the site Scam Detector’s algorithm.

Conclusion:

Both the online business using the stolen brand name of SMK Electronics corporation and the courier using the not so popular and un-trustworthy name of Prime Express logistics are fraudulent. 

The interconnection between the two is no doubt a cleverly concealed team effort to dupe prospective customers that they are dealing with a genuine American representative from the online business and a Kenyan courier. But still fail and all payments are made to Kenyan contacts thus indicating the culprits are closer to home than we think.

Sadly, proof of their identity remains a mystery. One still is for sure though; they are fraudulent. A classic example of the dreaded online courier fraud!

Online Business and Transaction Tips:

An online- business is one that sells its goods/merchandise to customers over the internet.

A courier service involves the delivery of goods/items from one company/individual to another. These are either brought to them by a seller or they go pick it directly from a seller. There are many companies both local and international couriers that offer these services such as locally within South Sudan is Juba Errands and Primefuels South Sudan, and International is DHL among others.

Obligations of e-commerce company/online business:

Avail exact goods as advertised through their online business to the clients as per purchase agreement through relevant delivery means i.e. couriers.

Obligations couriers:

Pick goods from online businesses or receive goods from online businesses and deliver to the buyer.

Failure to meet both obligations:

If both the online business and courier fail to live up to their obligations, the customer may in some cases get a refund or sadly accept the fact that he/she may be a victim of;

Advanced fee fraud scam: Where advanced payments are made for goods or services that do not materialize.

None delivery scam: Where an online business accepts payment for a good or service but fails to have it delivered to the customer.

A customer going through such an experience may warrant an in-depth search for answers. And this investigative piece seeks to help one such buyer who is seeking for answers.