Tag Archive for: #Disinformation

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Fact Check: No, the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security is offering grants to agribusiness

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The page advertising for the grants is a scam and a fraudulent Facebook account posing as the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security of South Sudan.

Writer: Beatrice Amude Paulino

A Facebook page impersonating the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Hon. Josephine Joseph Lagu, with the claim that her ministry is offering grants to agribusiness is fake and fraudulent.

The page transparency shows that it was created on August 12th, 2024 and on the same date, it posted the claim about the grant opportunities to agribusiness entities.

“The Ministry will channel investments towards Agriculture, providing financial support in the form of grants to Agribusinesses, Business Development Companies, Groups and Cooperatives that can benefit small farmers. Interested parties are advised to apply,” reads part of the fake Facebook post while directing prospective applicants to apply through a Google link in the post.

The screenshot of the fake page scam

It appears that those who might have fallen victim to the scam received a grant fund approval letter without an official stamp while bearing the name of Ms. Josephine Joseph Lagu, as the Chairlady of the grant committee. The document is being widely forwarded or shared in WhatsApp groups.

Screenshot of the fake grant fund approval letter

However, the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (MAFS) debunked the claim as a scam and fraudulent in a statement issued on its Facebook page on August 15th, 2024.

“We want to alert you to a recent scam involving a fraudulent Facebook account posing as the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security of South Sudan. Please be aware that this account is not affiliated with the official Ministry. To ensure you are receiving accurate and reliable information, always verify that you are interacting with our legitimate account, which is managed directly by our team. Our official page will never ask for personal information or money via direct messages,” reads a Facebook post statement by the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security.

Screenshot of the statement by the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security

Conclusion:

The Facebook post claiming to be from the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Hon. Josephine Joseph Lagu, is fake and fraudulent. 

Neither the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security nor the Minister have announced any grants to finance the agribusiness sector in South Sudan.

The page is not affiliated with the Agriculture Ministry, but it is being used to defraud and scam people.

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: No, MTN South Sudan is not recruiting job applicants through the website portal as claimed.

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A WhatsApp message with a claim that MTN South Sudan is recruiting SIM registration and call centre agents through the website portal is fake.

MTN South Sudan advertised on its official Facebook page on August 9th, 2024, for the recruitment of SIM registration and call centre agents. However, applicants are required to apply through the official email address: [email protected], not through an online website portal claimed in the WhatsApp groups.

Writter: Makur Majeng

A message circulating on WhatsApp groups claiming that MTN South Sudan is looking for SIM registration and call centre agents is a hoax.

“Are you a fresh graduate with excellent communication skills? We’re looking for friendly and customer-focused individuals to join our team as SIM Registration and Call Center Agents! Application is free and available for any interested individual.

Check Here To Apply,” reads the WhatsApp message.

The screenshot of the WhatsApp message

The screenshot of the fake web page interface

When an online user clicks on the link provided in the WhatsApp message, it directs to a form to enter personal information like name, gender, qualification (degree/diploma), phone number, and email address. 

The screenshot of where it asks the user to enter their phone number

After submission of the form, a congratulatory message appears while confirming receipt of the application, with the suggestion that only a few steps remain for approval. Besides, an instruction to proceed directs a prospective applicant to share the portal with 5 groups or 15 friends on WhatsApp before submitting the application.

After doing the tasks, it redirects you to a different website not related to the recruitment here and here.

The screenshot of the web pages

Claim Verification:

Online research on social media platforms found that MTN South Sudan posted a job advertisement on its verified Facebook page on August 9th, 2024 for the position of “SIM Registration and Call Center Agents” with the requirements of a degree or diploma in any relevant field. 

However, applicants can apply through the email address “[email protected],” not through the online website portal as claimed.

“We are hiring. Are you a fresh graduate with excellent communication skills? We’re looking for friendly and customer-focused individuals to join our team as SIM Registration & Call Center Agents!

QUALIFICATION: – Degree / Diploma in any relevant field. Send applications to: [email protected],” reads the MTN South Sudan Facebook post

The screenshot of the MTN South Sudan verified Facebook page post. 

VirusTotal identified the claim on the online website portal as phishing. This confirms that the website intends to deceive and collect personal information from users under impersonation and false pretence.

MTN South Sudan is one of the telecommunication mobile network operators in South Sudan.

Conclusion:

MTN South Sudan advertised for the vacancy of SIM registration and call center agents on August 9th, 2024 and prospective applicants are required to apply through the email address [email protected], not through the website portal link as claimed in the WhatsApp message being shared widely in groups. 

A WhatsApp message with a claim that MTN South Sudan is recruiting SIM registration and call centre agents through the website portal is fake and misleading.

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.

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Fact-check: No, the National Election Commission is not recruiting new staff as claimed

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The WhatsApp message about the National Election Commission staff recruitment is false and misleading. The NEC did not advertise any new job vacancies for recruitment.

Writter: Makur Majeng

A WhatsApp message widely shared in groups purportedly to be from the South Sudan National Election Commission (NEC) is a scam.

The claim purported that NEC has opened a recruitment portal to recruit new staff personnel, citing the availability of vacancies due to the upcoming election.

“NEC STAFF RECRUITMENT 2024. The National Elections Commission of South Sudan (NEC) has opened an application portal to recruit new workers to fill the various available positions against the upcoming election. Application is free for all interested citizens and employment has already started. Don’t miss this great opportunity. Click on the link below to apply now. APPLY NOW👇” reads the WhatsApp message.

The screenshot of the WhatsApp message

The screenshot of the first webpage

When a user clicks on the provided link, it requires a user to enter their personal information, such as name, phone number, email, date of birth, and gender. Then it will prompt him or her to click the “CONTINUE” button to go to the next webpage. After clicking on the continue button, it asks a user to choose his/her age group, between 18-25, 25-35, and 35-45 years, and click on the “APPLY NOW” button.

The screenshot of where it asks users to click on APPLY 

However, after choosing the age group, it will instruct a user to follow the instructions carefully to submit his/her application successfully.

After following this step, a user would be informed that his/her application was successful, with a promise of Short Messaging Service (SMS) confirmation.

Upon clicking prompts for application status, printing a PDF, or submitting, a user will be taken to a different phishing website.

The screenshot of the last two web pages of the website

Claim Verification:

The domain lookup of the claim URL shows that the website was registered in 2000, and the domain will expire in 2025.

The screenshot of the WHOIS domain search

However, on the contrary, NEC does not have an online website or portal for the recruitment process, and further analysis of the claim URL by VirusTotal flagged it as malware and suspicious links.

A press release issued by NEC on Wednesday debunked the claim as false and misleading rumours. 

“The National Election Commission (NEC) has become aware of several false and misleading rumours circulating on social media that NEC has opened an application portal regarding staff recruitment. These rumours are completely unfounded and do not reflect [the] recruitment processes and procedures of NEC,” reads part of the press release issued by NEC to debunk the claim.

“NEC staff recruitment follows established transparent and fair practices. All vacancies are publicly advertised through official NEC communication channels as well as major national media outlets. We urge the public to rely only on official information published by NEC regarding its recruitment and other activities,” it added.

Conclusion:

211 Check found out that the WhatsApp message claim that NEC is recruiting staff in 2024 is false and misleading. 

The National Election Commission did not advertise any new job vacancies, and it refuted the claim while stating that their vacancy advertisements are placed on authorised channels.

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: No, South University of Medicine is not offering free online courses

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Fact-check: No, South University of Medicine is not offering free online courses.

The South University of Medicine, Science, and Technology has debunked that the Facebook page is unrelated and the university is not offering online courses.

Author: Makur Majeng

A sponsored Facebook post claiming that the South University of Medicine, Science, and Technology is offering free online courses is a hoax and misleading.

The course offer, which targets people aged 18 to 55 years old, claimed that degree certificates will be issued after passing examinations.

“Starting from August 5, 2024, all South Sudanese can participate in the online courses of the University of South Sudan for free, and degree certificates will be issued after passing the exams, including foreigners. 18-55 years old,” reads the Hope Space Facebook page post.

The post has gained over 1,400 likes, 199 comments, and 21 shares since its publication.

The screenshot of the Facebook post.

Upon clicking the link provided in the Facebook post, it sends a user to a webpage to select the course of his or her choice. 

If a user selects any of the courses provided on the web interface, it will prompt him or her to tap on the “Visit Website” button. 

A screenshot of the web pages of the fake website

However, if the green button is clicked, it will automatically redirect to a different website. called Reed Courses. 

The screenshot of the webpage interface to which users are redirected.

Claim Verification:

211 Check contacted the South University of Medicine, Science, and Technology for comment via their official Facebook page, and they responded that the university does not offer online courses.

“The page [Hope Space] is not ours; we don’t offer online courses. Be alert for scammers. The logo is ours, but we don’t offer online courses,” reads a response from the South University of Medicine, Science & Technology.

Last week, a similar claim about the Ministry of General Education and Instruction offering free online courses was debunked as a hoax.

Conclusion:

211 Check has identified the Facebook post purporting that the South University of Medicine, Science, and Technology provides free online courses as deceptive and fraudulent.

The university is not affiliated with the Facebook page and is intended to deceive and scam people.

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: Did the Ministry of General Education announce free online courses? 

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No, it is a hoax; neither the South Sudan Ministry of General Education nor its affiliates have announced this.

Writer: Makur Majeng

A sponsored Facebook post claiming to offer free online courses with approval from the Ministry of Education is a hoax. The page called Knowledge Language Information claimed that registration for August 2024 has been opened for 1,000 online courses, including free laptops and job referrals. 

The page shared graphics bearing the map of South Sudan and the link to apply for the online courses.

“From July 2024, you can study 10 online courses approved by the South Sudan Ministry of Education for free. Includes free learning materials. 1,000 free online courses. Laptops provided for free. And job referral. Apply Now,” the sponsored Facebook post reads.

The screenshot of the Facebook post.

Upon clicking the link provided in the Facebook post, it sends a user to a webpage to select the course of his or her choice. 

A screenshot of the webpage bearing the list of courses.

If a user selects any of the courses provided on the web interface, it will prompt him or her to tap on the “Visit Website” button. However, if the green button is clicked, it will automatically redirect to a different website. 

The screenshot of its webpage

The page transparency shows that it was created on August 24, 2023

Claim Verification: 

211 Check reached out to the Ministry of General Education and Instruction for comment via email, and it said there is no announcement related to the free course.

“We don’t have any affiliation with [the] online Facebook page [Knowledge Language Information], and please stay away from such claims. The Ministry of General Education hasn’t announced anything related to free course (s) with the benefit of job referral after completion, among other things,” reads a response from the Ministry of General Education and Instruction.

In addition to that, the Ministry of General Education’s E-learning platform has no active free online courses going on.

Earlier, a similar claim about the University of Juba offering free courses was debunked as false in January this year.

A WHOIS domain search for the claimed domain shows that the website was registered on February 6, 2024, and will expire on February 6, 2025, and it appears that the domain address is not legitimate.

A screenshot of the WHOIS domain for the claim.

Conclusion:

211 Check has found out that the Facebook post claiming that the South Sudan Ministry of Education is offering free online courses is a hoax and misleading. 

The Facebook page is not affiliated with the Ministry of Education, and it is designed to scam individuals.

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