Tag Archive for: #FactCheck

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Fact-check: No, Nile Petroleum Corporation is not recruiting new staff

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The WhatsApp message claiming that NilePet Corporation is recruiting new staff is misleading and false. The NilePet Corporation did not advertise any new job vacancies for recruitment.

Author: Makur Majeng

A WhatsApp message widely shared in groups claiming to be from Nile Petroleum Corporation commonly known as NILEPET is a hoax. 

The claim alleged that NilePet has opened an application portal to recruit new staff to fill available positions, citing that some candidates have been selected. 

“Nile Petroleum Corporation Limited (NILEPET). The Nile Petroleum Corporation Limited (NILEPET) has opened an application portal to recruit new staff to fill available positions. Recruitment has started and some candidates have been selected. Don’t miss this great opportunity. Click the link below to apply now. Application is free and available to all interested candidates. Apply now👇https://tinyurl.com/nilepet-recruitment,” 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 title, name, phone number, and email. Then it will prompt him or her to click the “APPLY” button to go to the next webpage. After clicking on the continue button, it asks a user to choose his/her gender between male and female and click on the “PROCEED” button.

However, after choosing the gender, it will instruct a user to follow the instructions carefully to submit his/her application successfully, asking the user to share the message with 5 groups or 15 friends on WhatsApp.

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

Upon clicking prompts for application status and submitting or downloading the form, a user will be taken to a different website.

The screenshot of the webpages 

Claim Verification:

The Nilepet, in a statement issued to the public through its official Facebook page, dismissed the claim as fake.

“Nilepet’s Public Relations department would like to warn the public about a fake recruitment scheme using the Nilepet name. We strongly condemn this and urge everyone to stay alert. For accurate information, please consult our official Nilepet communication channel,” reads the official statement from the Nilepet Public Relations Department.

The screenshot of Nilepet’s Facebook post

The WHOIS domain lookup of the website shows that it was registered in 2002 and will 

expire in 2029.

The screenshot of the WHOIS domain lookup

However, it has been flagged by VirusTotal analysis to be a phishing attack.

Conclusion:

211 Check found that the WhatsApp message claiming NILEPET is recruiting new staff in 2024 is fake and misleading. It is a phishing website designed to steal personal information.

The Nile Petroleum Corporation Limited did not advertise any new job vacancies, and it refuted the claim while stating that its 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: The viral South Sudan Wealth Tracking List document is fake

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The Permanent Mission of the Republic of South Sudan to the United Nations in New York has officially declared the circulating “South Sudan Wealth Tracking List” as fraudulent.

Writer: Makur Majeng

A document dated June 20th, 2024, purported to have been authored by the United Nations Security Council and circulating on social media with a claim on the South Sudan wealth tracking list is fake. 

The document titled “South Sudan Wealth Tracking List” with resolution number 2731 (2024) listed 30 individuals, some of whom are government officials and businessmen/women. 

The resolution called upon parties, member states, international, regional, and subregional organisations to cooperate with the panel of experts on providing information on illicit transfers of wealth originating from South Sudan.

“Calls upon all parties and all Member States, as well as international, regional, and subregional organisations, to ensure cooperation with the Panel of Experts,  including by providing any information on illicit transfers of wealth from South Sudan into financial, property, and business networks, and further urges all Member States involved to ensure the safety of the members of the Panel of Experts and unhindered access, in particular to persons, documents, and sites, in order for the Panel of  Experts to execute its mandate,” reads part of the text in the document.

The screenshot of the fake document

The document has been widely shared and forwarded to WhatsApp groups.

Claim Verification:

Online research by 211 Check established that the document resolution number 2731(2024) is for the UN Security Council resolution for the renewal of the arms embargo and targeted sanctions on South Sudan adopted on May 30th, 2024, not for the wealth tracking list document as claimed.

On the other hand, the South Sudan permanent mission to the UN issued a statement on September 8th, 2024, debunking the document as fake and fraudulent.

“The Permanent Mission of the Republic of South Sudan to the United Nations in New York alerts the public that a document dated June 20, 2024, currently circulating on social media and purporting to be from the UN Sanctions Committee and Panel of Experts, is a fraudulent document,” reads the statement. 

“This document, which claims to contain a South Sudan Wealth Tracking List, has no legitimate origin from the United Nations, the Security Council, or any of its related bodies,” it adds. 

Conclusion:

The document titled “South Sudan Wealth Tracking List” is confirmed to be fake and was not authored by the UN Security Council. The Security Council did not issue any resolution related to the South Sudan wealth tracking list.

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: Is this Profession2 Facebook page with free online courses legitimate?

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No, it is not a legitimate page for an institution but was created by scammers for malicious activity online. 

 Writer: Beatrice Amude Paulino 

A Facebook page called Professions2  ran a sponsored advertisement on August 7, 2024, claiming that there are free online courses that may run for four weeks. After completion, trainees will be issued degree certificates and computers. 

Screenshot of the Facebook page

211 Check Investigation

211Check has observed that there is no authentic website or name of an institution that is responsible for the offer, and page transparency shows that it was created on June 3rd, 2024. The claim posted a malicious and phishing link that directs a user to share his or her personal information like name, contacts, address, and others.

Screenshot of the claim

Conclusion:

211Check found out that the Facebook post claiming free online courses for students in 2024 is false and misleading, and the page is not related to any institution, whether public or private. The page has no official address or contact information associated with it. 

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 South Sudan National Examinations Council results for 2023 base on numerical grading? 

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 No, for the 2023 academic year, the South Sudan National Examinations Council has shifted from a numerical percentage grading system to a letter grading system. 

Writer: Makur Majeng

The South Sudan National Examinations Council results for the 2023 Certificate of Secondary Education were not based on a numerical percentage grading system but rather letter grading, contrary to a Facebook post claim posted online on August 8th, 2024 with a list of the top 10 best students from different schools.

The page, together with another Facebook page called Pesahiko Media, claimed that the best student from Darling Wisdom Secondary School in Juba scored 72.2% as the overall performer in the senior four examinations.

“S.4 results-2023-2024…congratulations to the top ten students nationwide,” the part of the Facebook post.

The screenshot of the Facebook post

The screenshot of the Facebook post

However, Nimule Media’s Facebook page claimed that the best student scored 90.1%, disputing the above two pages’ claim.

The screenshot of the claim

Claim Verification:

The South Sudan National Examinations Council released the Certificate of Secondary Education senior four results for the academic year 2023/2024 on August 8th, 2024.

In a press release, while announcing the result, the National Examinations Council stated that the grading has shifted from the numerical percentage to the letter grade system.

“As required by the new curriculum objectives, the Council has successfully implemented a letter grading system. This is the result of thorough deliberation and input from numerous parties. The National Examinations Council agreed to switch from numerical percentage grades to letter grades,” reads part of the press.

Context

For the 2023 academic year, 45,666 candidates registered for the examinations in 500 schools around the country, with 28,038 males and 16,628 females, according to the Ministry of Education and Instruction.

However, according to the press release, only 44,131 candidates were graded, with 27,897 male and 16,234 female, amounting to 63.2% and 36.8%, respectively, while the rest did not turn up for the exams or were involved in cheating cases and other malpractices that disqualified them from grading.

Therefore, out of 44,131 also, 26,440 candidates, with 16,633 male and 9,807 female candidates, obtained a mean grade of C plain and above, which qualified them for university entry. But 17,692 with 11,264 male and 6,427 female candidates failed the examinations.

In the academic year 2022, the grading was based on a numerical-based percentage system, but this year, the Ministry of Education changed the grading system to align with the new curriculum goals and objectives.

“In alignment with the demand of the new curriculum objectives, the National Examinations Council effectively decided to transition from using the numerical percentage grades to letter grades. This is in line with the implementation of the competence-based curriculum goals and objectives,” the press release added. 

Numerical Grading vs. Letter Grading

The numerical grading system gives a 100% scale percentage score, with 100 being the highest and 49% below being the lowest, while a letter grading system grades based on a letter representation from A to E, with A being the highest grade and E being the lowest.

Conclusion:

211 Check has found that the South Sudan National Examinations Council has changed the grading system from numerical percentage to letter grading system for the 2023 academic year certificate of secondary education. 

The Facebook post claim showing the results for the 2023 certificate of secondary education with a list of the top ten best students graded in numerical percentage is false and misleading.

The Ministry of Education and Instruction has changed the grading from a numerical to a letter grading system, and the Examination Council’s press release did not include a list of the top 10 best students.

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

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Fact-check: TikTok’s free 30GB for its sixth anniversary is a hoax

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A WhatsApp message claiming that TikTok is offering free 30GB for all networks as part of its sixth-anniversary celebration is a scam unrelated to TikTok.

Writer: Makur Majeng

A WhatsApp message being widely forwarded in groups claiming that TikTok is giving away 30GB of free data to all networks is a scam.

“Congratulations to all TikTokers, Free 30GB (All networks) valid for 60 days in Celebration of TikTok’s 6th Anniversary. I Have Received Mine,” the WhatsApp message reads. 

The screenshot of the WhatsApp message

When a user clicks on the link, the Uniform Resource Locator (URL), it directs him or her to the “CLICK HERE” button where it provides a dialogue bar to insert a phone number to qualify and activate a free 30GB data plan for two months.

The screenshot of the webpage “Click Here”

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

After entering a phone number, a website page appears with a congratulatory message to a user, claiming that the number is qualified for a free 30GB data plan valid for two months. 

Besides, for a user to receive the free offer, the claim directs a user to click the “WhatsApp” button while conditioning a user to share the information with 12 friends or groups on WhatsApp, before the data bundle plan is received within five minutes.

The screenshot of the webpages of the fake website.

If a user successfully finishes sharing the information with 12 friends or groups, it then prompts the user to click “VERIFY NOW.”

The screenshot of the fake web page interface.

Claim Verification:

A Google keyword search for “Free 30GB TikTok offer for all networks” returned a similar claim which was fact-checked and proved to be a hoax. 

A Whois domain lookup reveals that the website was registered on September 4th, 2023, with an expiration date of August 4th, 2025.

The screenshot of the claim website’s whois domain

However, the TikTok  website Whois domain lookup shows that it was registered on July 21st, 1996 with an expiration date of July 20th, 2025

The screenshot of the TikTok Whois domain lookup.

211 Check analysed the claim URL using the Virus Total tool and revealed that it is phishing and malware.

Conclusion:

211 Check found that a WhatsApp message claiming that TikTok is offering free 30GB is a hoax. The website URL provided in the WhatsApp message is not related to TikTok since the Whois lookup data is different. 

The claim is a phishing scam intended to trick users into gathering their personal information like contact details.

The claim is a long-running hoax that keeps resurfacing online. It has been doing rounds for about four years since at least 2021, and 211 Check earlier debunked here and PesaCheck here.

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: Former South African President Thabo Mbeki is alive

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Former South African President Thabo Mbeki is alive, his foundation has said, despite false reports about his death being circulated on various websites.

Writer: Kei Emmanuel

News circulating on websites about the death of former and second South African President Thabo Mbeki is false.

The false news was first published on Nigerian-based sites National Waves and The Discoverer on the afternoon of Wednesday, 03rd January 2024.

The Discoverer News Agency alleges that Mbeki died of a short illness at the age of 74 on Tuesday morning while receiving treatment in a hospital. This shortly led to his Wikipedia page being edited to reflect his current status.

C:\Users\Emmanuel\Desktop\Death.png

Screenshot of edited Thabo Mbeki’s Wikipedia page

Claim Verification: 

On Wednesday, 03rd January 2024, the Thabo Mbeki Foundation refuted claims on the news of Thabok Mbeki’s death through a press statement.

The Thabo Mbeki Foundation, in the statement, confirmed that the former Head of State is alive and in good health; however, it cautioned the public against consuming fake news in the digital period.

“We deny those reports and wish to assure the public that President Mbeki is alive and healthy. Therefore, we urge caution and responsible engagement with online media information, particularly when misinformation can spread rapidly,” states the letter.

C:\Users\Emmanuel\Desktop\Mbeki SA.jpg

The press release by the Thabo Mbeki Foundation

After the Thabo Mbeki Foundation issued the statement, several South Africans and other media users worldwide are now calling for tougher actions against individuals spreading false news. 

Thabo Mbeki served as President of South Africa for ten years after the post-apartheid era, taking over from Nelson Mandela in 1999 till 2008. During his regime, Mbeki played a key role in South Africa’s economic transformation and post-apartheid stability, his Britannica bio says.

This is not the first time Mbeki has been pronounced dead, in 2021, during the COVID-19 pandemic, News24 ran an article that was widely circulated on WhatsApp platforms, perpetuating his death. 

Conclusion: 

211 Check finds news circulating on social media and other websites that the former and second President of South Africa, Thabo Mbeki, is dead, false.

His foundation says the Former president Thabo Mbeki is alive, well and in good health, contrary to online reports that he has died.

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. #FactsMatters. 

Fact-check: Over 50,000 people at Yei Freedom Square? The figure is unproven

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There is no evidence to support this statistical claim, as the photos of the New Year celebration event show that Yei Freedom Square was not fully packed.

Writer: Emmanuel Bida

Yei River County Commissioner Aggrey Cyrus Kanyikwa claimed in a Facebook post on 1 January 2024 that 50,000 people attended the New Year celebration on the Yei Freedom Square grounds, but the figure is unproven.

“Yei Come back testimony today at Yei Freedom Square. Over 50,000 people gathered to enjoy the South Sudan cultural diversity of traditional dances,” Aggrey’s original post partly reads.

Screenshot of the original Facebook post

About an hour later, the post was edited to include the phrase, “…Others dwelled on the streets due to insufficient space.”

The edit was done shortly after social media users raised concerns about the capacity of Yei Freedom Square and its ability to take 50,000 people.

“Yei Freedom Square is too small to accommodate over 50,000 people,” Beke Thomas John commented. “How did you arrive at the 50,000 people? Is any counting conducted?” asks James Bob.

Screenshot of the Facebook post’s edit history.

Claim Verification:

Yei River County Commissioner Aggrey Cyrus Kanyikwa says the Yei Freedom Square measures 130 meters by 83 meters, making it 10,790 square meters. That means if every person present were to occupy a 1-meter square, there would be over 10,790 people. “The capacity of the Freedom Square was meant to contain 10,000 people,” he said.

211 Check used MapChecking, a crowd-counting tool that helps estimate and fact-check the maximum number of people standing in a given area to determine Yei Freedom Square‘s light, crowded, and packed capacities.

The tool says that 1.50 people per sqm (~10 sqft) would hold 20,038 people, estimated at a light capacity, 2.00 people per sqm (~10 sqft) would hold 26,718 people, estimated at a crowded capacity, and 4.00 people per sqm (~10 sqft) would hold 53436 total estimated packed.

1.50 people per sqm (~10 sqft), 20038 estimated total capacity

2.00 people per sqm (~10 sqft), 26718 estimated total capacity

4.00 people per sqm (~10 sqft), 53436 estimated total capacity

A look at the photos of the New Year event at Yei Freedom Square also shows that it wasn’t fully packed, but there are angles the pictures could have been taken from.

In this photo, a vehicle was packed inside Freedom Square, which wouldn’t be possible if it was fully packed.

Photo posted by Aggrey Cyrus Kanyikwa on Facebook

Analysis of other photos shared on Facebook by this user and the Office of the Governor in Central Equatoria show that this was the most packed area of the Freedom Square at the event.

Screenshot of a photo shared on Facebook of the New Year celebration at Yei Freedom Square

Conclusion:

211 Check finds the claim that over 50,000 people were at Yei Freedom Square on the New Year celebration unproven. There is no evidence to support this statistical claim, as the photos of the New Year celebration event show that the Yei Freedom Square was not filled.

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. #FactsMatters.

Fact-check: Has an IT student been arrested for clearing debt for MTN Nigeria users?

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Jeffery Okafor, a Nigerian arrested for the suspected murder of a student in London in 2014, is the person in the photo.

Writer: Nancy Ceasar

A Facebook post published with a picture of a man being arrested by a female and male police officer purporting to show an “IT student who allegedly cleared all MTN users debt has reportedly been arrested,” is a hoax.

The post by Aba Times News, a Nigerian-based news portal, attracted over 70 comments, 200 interactions, and 17 shares at publication. 

The claim is not true, and 211 Check checked it: 

A screenshot of the Facebook post

Also, other sources shared the same picture with the headline, “The IT student who allegedly cleared all MTN users’ debt has reportedly been arrested.”

A screenshot of the picture from a page named Dimples.

Claim Verification:

211 Check carried out a Google Search using  Google Lens on the image and returned several results, which were shared in 2014. Looking at Google Lens search, it shows a case of a murder.

The story was shared on the X/Twitter handle of the Nigerian Police on 5th November 2014.

Media reports indicate that Nigerian police arrested Okafor in September 2014 in Asaba, capital of Delta State, five years after fleeing London and possible prosecution for the 1 August 2009 alleged murder.

A screenshot of the picture on X/Twitter Handle of the Nigerian Police.

Similarly, Information Nigeria shared the same picture on 5 November 2014 on their website, with a headline, “Nigerian police set to extradite UK murder suspect Jeffrey Okafor.”

 A screenshot of the picture as published by Information Nigeria.

On 11 November 2023, MTN Nigeria acknowledged experiencing a system error, resulting in a section of customers receiving error messages indicating their balances had been cleared.

Through a notice on X (formerly Twitter), the company clarified that the incident was a system glitch affecting balance inquiries. They assured customers that all balances would reflect accurate figures once the issue was resolved.

https://x.com/MTNNG/status/1723331652196155474?s=20

Conclusion:

211 Check finds the claim that an IT student was allegedly arrested for clearing the debts of MTN Nigeria users is a hoax. The picture was for a UK suspect who was arrested for a murder case in 2014 in Nigeria.

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: An American Chamber of Commerce doesn’t exist in South Sudan

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There is no American Chamber of Commerce in South Sudan.  The Facebook page that claims to offer grants to entrepreneurs and SMEs is illegitimate, trying to get people’s details for selfish use.

Writer: Nancy Ceasar

A Facebook page, “American Chamber of Commerce – South Sudan”, running a sponsored post claiming to offer grants to entrepreneurs and SMEs in South Sudan is a hoax.

The page was created on November 6, 2023, and had 179 likes and 194 followers by the time this article was written. It uses a cover photo of a logo with the symbol of an American flag and a South Sudan flag. 

The page has some other posts, and this particular one, published on November 9, 2023, has an image used by the UNPD South Sudan page. The page in its advertisement offers a link through which it advises people to apply. The link leads to a Google Form.

“We are excited to announce that applications are open following approval and signing of grants by the World Bank and the United Nations Development Programme..,” the post reads partly.”.

Screenshot of the sponsored post on Facebook

Claim Verification:

Given the information on the page and the too-easy-to-believe processes of getting the grants, 211 Check investigated the claim.

A Microsoft Bing Search of  Keywords for “American Chamber of Commerce-South Sudan” did not return relevant results or reports for a legitimate entity of that kind. 

However, the U.S. Department of Commerce issued a business advisory for South Sudan in August 2023, highlighting the growing reputational and financial risks to American businesses and individuals conducting business with companies that have significant ties to South Sudan’s extended transitional government or are controlled by family members of government officials

Search results also returned the South Sudan National Chambers of Commerce, Industry, and Agriculture.  The South Sudan National Chamber of Commerce, Industry, and Agriculture is an umbrella body representing and advocating for the private sector in the Republic of South Sudan.

Its  Facebook page was created on August 13, 2013, and it has 2.3k likes and 2.5k followers. The American Chambers of Commerce South Sudan Page was created on November 6, 2023.

And there are no American chambers of commerce -in South Sudan; rather, there are chambers of commerce in South Sudan.

A screenshot of the Facebook page of the South Sudan National Chambers of Commerce, Industry, and Agriculture

What is an American Chamber of Commerce?

The American Chamber of Commerce is a global business organisation representing small businesses, chambers of commerce, startups, and global corporations. For example, in Egypt, it works towards creating government policies that help businesses run and grow, eliminate bureaucratic barriers, and strengthen America’s economy and global leadership.

Conclusion:

211 Check found the Facebook page soliciting applications for grants to promote trade supporting SMEs and individual businesses is a hoax.

The page recently ran a sponsored post created to solicit applications from unsuspecting Facebook users.

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.