Tag Archive for: #FactCheck

Misleading Article Being Shared Online

Fact-Check: An article allegedly written by Louis Anei is FALSE

/in

211 Check Editorial Desk

An article titled “Kiir Mayar has openly shown us how much he hates his own voters in Greater Tonj by imposing his political tool Aleu Ayieny Aleu” allegedly written by Ustaz Louis Anei Madut is FALSE

The article that goes on to list about 10 points has since been dismissed by Ustaz Louis Anei Madut himself.

FALSE article being circulated in WhatsApp groups

In a Facebook post, Ustaz Louis Anei Madut said, “The purported article said to have been written by me is false! This is a concoction from my political enemies who want to put me deep into the grave but God is there alive.”

“I wish it was to be investigated as to who is the source, meanwhile I’m on my way to the village for social issues. I have nothing to do with those political concoctions.”

#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.

Bentiu tv Misleading Image

Fact-Check: Do these pictures show livestock killed by floods in Bentiu? No

/in , ,

These pictures showing livestock allegedly killed by floods in Bentiu, Unity State are misleading

By 211 Check Editorial Team

Pictures shared by Bentiu tv, a Facebook page with the caption, “This is how flood kills livestock in Bentiu” are FALSE

Reverse image search of the pictures leads to a story published by the Star Kenya two days ago in which raging water as a result of heavy rains at the slopes of Mt Kilimanjaro in neighbouring Tanzania killed livestock in Kenya’s Taita Taveta county.

Conclusion:

The images do not show livestock killed by floods in Bentiu, Unity State. They instead show livestock killed in Taita Taveta county, Kenya.

#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.

false tweet

Fact-Check: This picture does not show a rare creature killed in Rubkona, Unity State

/in ,

The image shows a creature that is reported to have been killed in South East Mauritania in July 2020

By 211 Check Editorial Team

A tweet on 25th November 2021 claiming that a rare creature was killed in Rubkona Unity State is FALSE

“I’m very disappointed in the people of Rubkona, Unity State. There was no point killing such a rare creature,” the tweet reads in part.

The tweet also claims that the species of Aardvark was only in South Sudan and that might be the last one. “Sadly dead,” the tweet added.

However, 211 Check investigations have established that the tweet claiming the rare creature was killed in South Sudan is unfounded.

Reverse image results for the image shows several cases in which the same image has been used. The earliest being on 18th July 2020 in the Batha of Al-Nama city in the state of Al-Hawd Al-Sharqi, southeast of Mauritania

According to the activists who circulated the photo at that time, the animal was killed by some citizens in Mauritania.

It should also be noted that according to National Geographic, Aardvarks occur in almost all Africa’s parks and reserves, and not only in South Sudan as claimed in the tweet.

Conclusion:

211 Check has looked into an image purportedly of a rare creature killed in Rubkona, Unity State 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.

FEATURED IMAGE FOR THE LAPTOP SCHEME HOAX211 Check

Fact-Check: Viral Link Asking Students to Apply for Laptop Scheme 2021/22 is a Hoax

/in , ,

The hoax appears to be aimed at students who do not have laptop computers. While the message is a hoax, the lack of proper access to online learning environments is all too real.

By Emmanuel Bida Thomas

According to 211 Check findings, a viral link being shared on WhatsApp claiming to be asking students to apply for laptop schemes is a hoax. The message that has gone viral on WhatsApp does not specify who is offering the laptop scheme.

The claim in the viral WhatsApp message reads, 

“The Applications for the Students Laptop Scheme 2021/22 Is Available

This scheme is open to all students who for financial reasons are not in a position to purchase a laptop of their own and are in need of laptop in their level of education

Students that can apply

-All Students can apply for the helping laptop support scheme

Eligiblity-All countries

20,000 student recieved laptop in 2020 due to covid

In 2021 Over 560,000 students will be given free laptop to enhance their learning this month

Application has began and students that have applied have started gettig their laptops

ONLY STUDENTS CAN APPLY.” 

The message includes a link to a webpage that makes a similar claim and asks students to enter their age bracket (10-50) years, full name, educational level, laptop brand, and age range.

It also claims that if a person correctly answers the question (5+1-2=?) they will be automatically qualified for the laptop.

The website prompts the user to check their eligibility by asking for their name, pretending to verify their identity, and requesting that the user share the link with WhatsApp friends and groups until “the blue bar is full.” The website redirects the user to a spam advertisement once the step is completed.

Request that the user share the link with WhatsApp friends and groups until “the blue bar is full.”

According to a website reputation checker, the website that was registered 28 days ago on 2021-10-28 and is hosted at this IP address: 209.159.145.116 has been blacklisted by several engines, including Avira, CRDF, and Fortinet.

The message or its website do not specify who is providing the laptops or to whom students are applying. Legitimate schemes usually identify the organizations that are behind them.

Conclusion:

It is not uncommon to receive WhatsApp messages containing links claiming that the recipient has won prizes such as a free expensive smartphone or simply a shoe.

One thing that all of these messages have in common is that they all require the recipient to forward it to at least a certain number of WhatsApp chats. However, the claims that accompany these links can appear genuine and difficult to dismiss, such as when they appear to be disseminating information about schemes and use official institution logos.

The above hoax appears to be aimed at students who do not have laptop computers. While the message is a hoax, the lack of proper access to online learning environments is all too real.

THIS IS NOT JUBA FREEDOM BRIDGE211 Check

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

/in ,

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

/in , ,

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

/in ,

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.

/in ,

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.

SAUNA FACEBOOK POST211 Check

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

/in ,

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?

/in ,

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.