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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Starlink is a satellite internet service offered by Elon Musk’s SpaceX around the world, including South Sudan.
Writer: Makur Majeng
Starlink is a satelliteinternet service that provides high-speed internet to remote and underserved areas, including everywhere on Earth. Starlink was launched on May 23, 2019, by SpaceX Falcon 9 Rocket. In comparison with traditional telecommunications companies and Internet service providers that offer Internet services, Starlink’s technology operates based on Low Earth Orbit at speeds of 7.7 km/s above the Earth’s surface and conveys Internet coverage directly from space.
Source: Rafael Henrique / LightRocket via Getty Images
The differences between Starlink satellite and traditional Internet service providers (companies).
In contrast to traditional fibre optics, copper cables, cellular networks, or other physical infrastructures, the Starlink network consists of LEO satellites put in orbit. Later, these satellites will be used to establish connections with ground stations and user terminals known as small satellite dishes.
As a result, it allows the company to provide internet services where it is impossible or economically impractical to lay a physical network infrastructure.
Meanwhile, telecom companies typically use fibre-optic cables, Digital Subscriber Lines (DSL), and cellular towers to provide internet services.
On the other hand, Starlink provides global coverage and provides services for citizens in remote and rural areas, but telecom internet companies operate with limited coverage and serve the citizens of the city and suburban areas or wherever there is network infrastructure.
SpaceX’s Starlink Internet Service consists of a ground terminal (right) and antenna for high-speed satellite internet. (Image credit: SpaceX)
What are the pros and cons of Starlink?
Pros
Starlink enables internet penetration in locations where regular internet services are unavailable. It demands no need for enormous ground-based infrastructure and minimises time to deploy.
The satellite infrastructure could ultimately result in lower operating costs compared to traditional physical infrastructures once the entire network is implemented.
Cons
Starlink for starters is expensive, and users must buy a satellite dish and router for setup, and weather-dependent typical performance can suffer from things like snow or rain, and it is also expensive for poor households to acquire Starlink for home use.
The number of countries using Starlink as of August 2024 includes 21 countries from continental America, which arethe United States, Puerto Rico, United States Virgin Islands, Guam, Northern Mariana Islands, Canada, Chile, Easter Island, Mexico, Brazil, Dominican Republic, Jamaica, Barbados, Peru, Colombia, Haiti, Ecuador, El Salvador, Panama, Trinidad and Tobago, Guatemala, Bahamas, Honduras, Paraguay, Argentina, Uruguay, and Costa Rica.
In Europe, there are 30 countries, including overseas territories, which include; theUnited Kingdom, Pitcairn Islands, Germany, France, Saint Martin, Saint Barthélemy, Guadeloupe, Martinique, Austria, Netherlands, Belgium, Ireland, Denmark, Portugal, Switzerland, Poland, Italy, Czechia, Sweden, Croatia, Lithuania, Spain, Slovakia, Slovenia, Bulgaria, Ukraine, Romania, Greece, Latvia, Hungary, North Macedonia, Luxembourg, Moldova, Estonia, Norway, Malta, Finland, Iceland, Cyprus, Georgia, and Albania.
In Oceania, there are 6 countries, which include New Zealand, Australia, Micronesia, Fiji, and Tonga.
On the African continent, there are 13 countries, which include Nigeria, Rwanda, Mozambique, Kenya, Malawi, Zambia, Benin, Eswatini, Sierra Leone, Madagascar, South Sudan, Botswana, and Ghana. In Asia, there are 6 countries: Japan, Philippines, Malaysia, Maldives, Mongolia, and Indonesia.
The global availability of the Starlink maps with the light blue location, source: Starlink
What are the future markets of traditional Internet service providers?
In rural or remote areas of competition, traditional Internet service providers (ISPs) like Liquid, Connect, IPTech, and others, for example, may not be as competitive as Starlink due to high infrastructure costs, and at the same time, the demand for their services may decrease with the growing Starlink penetration due to more users’ acquisitions of Starlink.
For ISPs to compete in reliability, speed, and reachability, they will need to invest heavily in expanding the coverage of fibre optic cable infrastructure in both remote and urban areas, which is financially very costly.
However, Starlink is less costly in terms of infrastructure and can reach areas without cellular tower networks using its terminals and dishes.
In another related development, on January 8th, 2024, SpaceX successfully tested text messaging using its direct-to-cell satellites. The move further aims to overcome the challenge of connecting cell phones and other cellular devices to fast-moving satellites.
Six satellites were launched, which function as cellphone towers in space and will provide text service in 2024 and voice, data services, and the Internet of Things (IoT) in 2025.
This addition, according to Elon Musk, will allow mobile phone connectivity anywhere on Earth. However, he noted that it is not competitive with the existing terrestrial cellular networks.
SpaceX has partnered with T-Mobile and other global operators to utilise the Long Term Evolution (LTE) spectrum, a fourth-generation network wireless standard offering seamless connectivity without the need for new devices or apps.
Conclusion:
Starlink technology is on the verge of becoming a major advancement in terms of the Internet service markets, especially for rural and underprivileged locations. On one hand, it is capable of providing worldwide coverage and scalability.
However, its downsides include weather-dependent reliability and a relatively high cost for starters.
To remain competitive in the evolving telecom landscape, traditional carriers will need to adapt and invest—potentially striking internet infrastructures that cover hard-to-reach areas with reliable affordability for underprivileged locations.
However, the entry of Starlink into the Internet markets has put pressure on traditional Internet service providers on how to retain and maintain market shares.
In South Sudan, the National Communication Authority (NCA) approved Elon Musk’s Starlink Satellite Internet entry on June 26, 2024, and South Sudanese citizens have embraced the internet service compared with the fibre optic one.
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
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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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A cumulative total of 99,176 laboratory-confirmed cases of Mpox, including 208 deaths, were reported to WHO from 116 countries in all six WHO regions in Africa from January 1st, 2022, to June 30th, 2024. However, South Sudan has no confirmed case of Mpox, according to the Ministry of Health.
Writer: Beatrice Amude Paulino
A media report on August 7th, 2024 by Radio Tamazuj indicated that there were two suspected cases of monkeypox in Aweil town, Northern Bahr-el Ghazal State.
The State Ministry of Health has reported the case, and some samples were taken to the World Health Organisation in Juba, according to Dr. Riing Riing Lual Dau, the Northern Bahr-el Ghazal State Minister of Health.
“We called the lab technicians to take the sample that was booked by WHO to Juba to be confirmed in the main lab. If it is monkeypox, we will inform our community to put in place preventative measures,” said Dr. Riing.
The Getty image indicates monkeypox patience.
211 Check research:
With the recent suspected case of monkeypox, 211check has conducted in-depth research to educate the public.
What is monkeypox?
According to the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), mpox (formerly known as monkeypox) is a disease caused by infection with a virus known as the monkeypox virus. This virus is part of the same family virus that causes smallpox.
Mpox is a zoonotic disease, meaning it can be spread between animals and people. It is endemic, or found regularly, in parts of Central and West Africa. The virus that causes monkeypox has been found in small rodents, monkeys, and other mammals that live in these areas.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) says the monkeypox virus is an orthopoxvirus that causes mpox (monkeypox), a disease with symptoms similar to smallpox, although less severe.
While smallpox was eradicated in 1980, mpox continues to occur in countries in central and western Africa.
How does the monkeypox virus transmit?
According to the WHO, Mpox spreads from person to person through close contact with someone who is infected with the monkeypox virus. Close contact includes being face-to-face (such as talking or breathing close to one another, which can generate droplets or short-range aerosols); skin-to-skin (such as touching or vaginal/anal sex); mouth-to-mouth (such as kissing); or mouth-to-skin contact (such as oral sex or kissing the skin).
The CDC indicates that both clades of mpox spread through direct contact with infected wild animals, through close contact, including intimate or sexual contact with a person with mpox, and through contact with contaminated materials.
People with mpox often get a rash that may be located on hands, feet, chest, face, or mouth, or near the genitals, including the penis, testicles, labia, vagina, and anus, according to the CDC.
The first symptom of monkeypox is a rash, while others may have different symptoms first. The rash begins as a flat sore, which develops into a blister filled with liquid and may be itchy or painful. As the rash heals, the lesions dry up, crust over, and fall off. Some people may have one or a few skin lesions, and others may have hundreds or more. These can appear anywhere on the body, such as the palms of hands and soles of feet, face, mouth, throat, groin and genital areas, and anus.
Some people also have painful swelling of their rectum or pain and difficulty when peeing.
Besides, the WHO factsheet indicates the signs and symptoms of a person infected with monkeypox usually begin within a week but can start 1 to 21 days after exposure. However, the symptoms typically last 2 to 4 weeks and sometimes longer in someone with a weakened immune system.
How can monkeypox be detected and treated?
According to the Cleveland Clinic, to diagnose mpox, the healthcare provider takes a tissue sample from an open sore (lesion). Then, send it to a lab for polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing genetic fingerprinting.
In addition to that, the person affected also needs to give a blood sample to check for the monkeypox virus or antibodies the immune system makes.
Currently, there are not any approved antiviral treatments for monkeypox. However, antiviral drugs like cidofovir or tecovirimat may be prescribed to the sick person by a healthcare provider.
How can monkeypox be prevented?
The CDC recommends the JYNNEOS vaccine for the prevention of mpox. Getting both doses provides the best protection. A person should get two doses four weeks apart. Even if it has been longer than 4 weeks since the first vaccine dose, one needs to get the second dose as soon as possible. However, if a Mpox patient previously recovered from mpox, he or she does not need the vaccine.
What are the authorities in South Sudan doing about the recent suspected monkeypox cases?
The Northern Bahr el Ghazal State Ministry of Health has registered two suspected samples that were taken to Uganda for further investigation.
However, according to the report by Radio Tamazuj, Dr. Riing Yak Chan, the Director of Preventive Health Services, said none of the cases has substantively been confirmed as monkeypox but promised to continue monitoring the situation.
In addition to that, the National Ministry of Health, in a press statement on August 19th, 2024 assured the public that South Sudan has no confirmed case of monkeypox.
“The Ministry of Health reassures that there is no confirmed case of Mpox in South Sudan and urges the general public to remain calm but vigilant and report any suspected cases to the nearest health facility or to call the Toll-Free Line 6666,” reads a press statement released by the Ministry of Health.
On the other hand, the Health Ministry encouraged the public to adhere to the following public health preventive measures:
Avoid close contact with an infected person.
Use personal protective equipment (PPE) when caring for patients.
Do not share bedding, clothing, towels, or utensils with sick people.
Practice hand hygiene and respiratory etiquette.
Isolate infected patients in hospitals or at home.
Avoid close contact with wild animals, especially those found sick or dead.
Cook all foods containing fresh animal meat or products properly before eating.
What is the World Health Organisation saying?
WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus declared the mpox outbreak a public health emergency of international concern on August 14, 2024. The WHO noted that the declaration makes it easier to speed up the acquisition and implementation of funding, global public health measures, and joint efforts to contain the disease. The WHO advisory on Mpox is found here also.
Conclusion
With the declaration of monkeypox as a public health emergency of international concern by the WHO, South Sudan has no confirmed cases of the disease.
However, the Health Ministry noted that “in the African region, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) recorded the highest number of Mpox cases for the time, with sustained transmission driven by sexual contact. Other countries neighbouring the DRC that have reported Mpox include Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, and Uganda. Some of these countries closely bordering South Sudan with porous borders and high population movements posed an increased risk of spillover of the monkeypox virus into the country.”
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, 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.
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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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.
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.
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.
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, visithttps://211check.org/or message us on WhatsApp at +211 917 298 255. #FactsMatters.
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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.
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.
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.
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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.
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.
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.
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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
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.
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.
https://211check.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/httpswww.uschamber.com_.png6281200211 Checkhttps://211check.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/211Check_logo-1-300x120.png211 Check2023-12-30 15:22:522023-12-30 15:22:58Fact-check: An American Chamber of Commerce doesn’t exist in South Sudan
A WhatsApp message claiming that MTN South Sudan is offering a 10 GB free Christmas gift is a hoax.
Writer: Makur Majeng
A message circulating on WhatsApp that claims MTN is offering a 10GB Christmas gift to its customers is a hoax.
“Yello! It’s MTN Christmas Offer. 10GB. Enjoy 10GB Christmas Offer Valid till 31st December,” the WhatsApp message says.
The screenshot of the claim on WhatsApp
When you click the link in the message, you are directed to a one-page website titled “MTN 10GB CHRISTMAS OFFER.”
The website prompts users to click a “CLAIM 10GB” button, which then asks for the user’s phone number.
Regardless of how many times you click, the website informs you that your MTN number is eligible to receive the 10GB Christmas offer.
The screenshot of its web pages
The website then provides instructions to claim the 10GB offer, including sending a message to 12 WhatsApp groups, selecting your phone type, and completing other tasks. However, upon completing these tasks, users are redirected to a different website that provides no information about the MTN Christmas offer.
Claim Verification:
A Google keyword search for the MTN Christmas offer of 10GB yields no official results or information from MTN.
MTN South Sudan, which usually announces such offers through its official social media channels, did not put up such an offer.
211 Check investigation into the URL on Virus Total identified the website as phishing, malicious, and containing malware. This confirms the website’s intent to deceive and collect personal information from users under false pretences.
Conclusion:
211 Check has found the claim that MTN is offering a 10GB Christmas gift false. The website linked in the WhatsApp message is not affiliated with MTN, and it is a phishing scam designed to deceive users and collect personal information.
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
https://211check.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/WhatsApp-message-is-not-affiliated-with-MTN.png6281200211 Checkhttps://211check.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/211Check_logo-1-300x120.png211 Check2023-12-28 13:57:412023-12-28 13:57:47Fact-check: MTN South Sudan isn’t offering a free 10GB Christmas offer?
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