Tag Archive for: #FactsMatter

Fact-check: Has a new HIV/AIDS variant that causes facial rashes been discovered in Africa?

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No, there are no reports from WHO about a new HIV variant discovered in Africa.

Writer: Abraham Athian 

A picture in a Post shared by Tikambeko News claims, “A new HIV variant has been discovered in Africa, and if you have any of these symptoms, you may be having it,” but this is false.

This is the  URL to the false article. 

It is a form of health misinformation that scares the public on social media and those who have acne on their faces. The attached picture in the post is of a person with acne, not a new HIV variant, as claimed by the imposter. The picture has been online since 2014.

A screenshot of the Facebook post 

The post attracted 160 likes, 83 comments, and 23 shares. Many media outlets also posted it, as you can see here, here, here, here, and here.

Claim Verification:

A Google search engine shows that the picture first appeared online on June 12, 2014. It was shared by WordPress that Forever Living products (Aloe Vera Gelly and Aloe Propolis Creme) are used to treat acne.

A screenshot of a WordPress post 

The other sources where you can find the origin of the picture are here, here, here, here, and here.

Further search for the source of this picture and the claim lands us on the previous fact-check made by Edmo Belux, a fact-checking agency in Belgium and Luxembourg. This verified the false claim made by Julius Malema Speak in South Africa about the new HIV variant. It concluded it was false by providing some evidence attached below. 

A screenshot of the factual report about the new HIV variant 

A screenshot of the refuted claim 

A screenshot of the verified information

You can also read the full Edmo’s fact-check article written by Tendai Dube here. 

The Latest Research on HIV and other infectious diseases continued to be presented at the 2023 Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections (CROI). Dr Dieffenbach, the Director of the Division of AIDS at NIH’s National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease, highlighted three NIH-supported studies that focused on the effectiveness of long-acting HIV prevention in specific populations and a demonstration of how long-acting HIV treatment can be used to reach people with multiple challenges to treatment adherence. First, he discussed a study presented by Dr. Hyman Scott of the San Francisco Department of Public Health that demonstrated the safety and effectiveness of long-acting injectable cabotegravir (CAB-LA) for HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) among black men who have sex with men and transgender women who have sex with men, concluding that CAB-LA can be a powerful HIV prevention tool to reduce HIV incidence among these groups that are disproportionately affected by HIV.

 What is acne?

Acne is a skin condition that occurs when the opening on the skin’s surface becomes clogged. Acne causes inflamed growths, which may have whiteheads or blackheads. Causes of acne can include hormonal imbalance, oversecretion of oil glands in the skin, and dirt/impurities clogging the skin pores.

Treatment:

The use of Aloe Vera Gelly and Aloe Propolis Creme can minimise the implications. This skin treatment formula has been used and validated over and over satisfactorily, with over 90% of use resulting in total transformation of troubled areas. It works on all types of acne: Blackheads, Whiteheads, Cysts, Acne Vulgaris, Conglobata, and rosacea. 

Conclusion:

211 Check finds the claim that there is a new HIV/AIDS variant to be false. It is health misinformation and disinformation. The picture allegedly of a person infected with the new variant was first used in an advertisement for acne-treating medicines in 2014.

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: This photo is not of NCP defector Anthony Feremato

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The featured image used by the Number One Citizen Newspaper is of Fermo Peter Isara, former Torit County Commissioner

Writer: Theophilous Ochang Andrew  

A featured news article image by the Number One Citizen Daily Newspaper allegedly of Anthony Feremato Jacob is false.

The photo used in a story titled “Senior NCP member joins SPLM”, published on September 4, 2023, was meant to depict Anthony Feremato, a former chairperson of the National Congress Party in Eastern Equatoria State (EES) who is said to have switched to the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement as reported by The City Review, The Radio Community, and the Number One Citizen Daily Newspaper.

A screenshot of the featured image as it appears on the Number One Citizen Newspaper website

Claim Verification:

A Google reverse image search returns results of the same image published by Radio Tamazuj on 9 August 2018. It is of Fermo Peter Isara, former Torit County Commissioner in South Sudan’s Eastern Equatoria State.

Screenshot of the featured image as used by Radio Tamazuj on 9 August 2018

A keyword search using “fermo peter isara, torit county commissioner” also returned the same and similar images confirming the Google reverse image search findings.

Similar images of Fermo Peter Isara

The Radio Community, an independent network of community radio stations in South Sudan, published the same story titled, “Anthony Feremato joins SPLM,” with his actual photo.

A screenshot showing Anthony Feremato’s photo as published by The Radio Community

Similar pictures of Anthony Feremato were shared with 211 Check via messenger by Sisto Ohide who works at the Torit SPLM secretariat as the reporter for the state-run  Radio 97.5 FM.

Photos of Anthony Feremato, former National Congress Party chairperson in EES

Conclusion:

211 Check finds the featured image of a news story allegedly of Anthony Feremato, former National Congress Party chairperson in Eastern Equatoria State, false. The featured image used by the Number One Citizen Daily Newspaper is of Fermo Peter Isara, former Torit County Commissioner.

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: Does eating food heated in plastic containers cause cancer?

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No, there is no sufficient evidence that eating food from plastic containers exposed to heat can cause cancer.

Writer: Beatrice Amude Paulino

An image circulating on WhatsApp claims that, according to the American Doctors Association, consuming food from plastic materials exposed to heat can cause cancer.

The message states that you should not take tea in plastic cups, eat anything hot in a plastic bag, or heat foodstuff in a microwave using plastic materials. It cautions 

that ‘when plastic gets into contact with heat, it produces chemicals which may cause 52 types of cancer.’

The message ends with a call to action: “Therefore, this SMS is better than 100 useless SMS. Inform your loved ones to be free from such effects. Share with everyone.”

Screenshot from the WhatsApp image

The same claim was also shared on a website called America’s Best Pictures and Videos, which adds that plastic materials can cause cancer cells to grow in the body.

Screenshot from the website.

Verification of the American Doctors Association page and website

According to a  Google Search, there is seemingly no organisation by that name, which suggests it does not exist. Instead, existing organisations include the Association of American Physicians and Surgeons and the American Medical Association. 

According to  Cancer Research UK, an independent cancer organisation in the United Kingdom, drinking hot tea in plastic cups cannot cause cancer. Additionally, using plastic does not increase the risk of cancer, and it is safe to drink from plastic bottles, use plastic containers, cling film, and store food in plastic bags.

Cancer Research UK also added that even when plastics are heated for hours, studies have shown that the food inside remains safe.

Other studies, here and here, indicate that drinking hot tea can increase cancer risk. However, the studies do not mention the increased risk of consuming tea from plastic cups. 

Plastic materials are everywhere in our homes, such as plates, baby feeding bottles, cutlery, food containers, fibreglass, water coolers, etc.

According to Doctor Ashwini Kumar Setya, a senior consultant in Gastroenterology and Hepatology at the Gastroenterology Institute of Digestive and Hepatobiliary Science, Gurugram- India, when hot food is kept in plastic material, it can produce a chemical which is not scientifically proven to cause cancer.

“…And some of these chemicals, like Bisphenol-A (BPA) and phthalates, might do strange things to your body, mimicking and disrupting hormones in ways that even scientists haven’t fully understood,” Dr Ashwini K. Setya said

In an interview with 211 Check,  Dr. Catherine Naliaka Nyongesa, a physician radiation oncologist and CEO of Texas Cancer Centre, Nairobi, explained that no substantial literature supports the claim.

She disclosed that: “I think more research is needed to provide evidence to support such claims.’’ 

According to the FDA, there are plastics labelled for microwave use only that are safe to use. The Canadian Cancer Society (CCS) has also advised that people can use glass, ceramic, plastic containers and plastic wrap labelled for microwave use. 

Further instructions include:

  • Always follow the label’s instructions when using microwave-safe containers to heat food.
  • Never heat or store food in plastic containers not intended for food. Single-use containers, like margarine tubs, tend to warp or melt in the microwave. This may allow more of the substances in the plastic to leach into the food.
  • Let food cool before adding it to a plastic container, then put it in the fridge immediately. Avoid plastics that are visibly damaged, stained, or have a bad smell.

Conclusion:

According to investigations by 211 Check, scientific evidence suggests that certain chemicals can be leached into food from plastic materials. However, the amounts and potential health risks of these chemicals remain unconfirmed.

Hence, it is vital to choose plastic bags or materials specifically designed for food and labelled as safe by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and follow the manufacturer’s instructions on how to use them. 

This fact check was published by 211 Check with technical support from Code for Africa’s  PesaCheck newsdesk through the African Fact-Checking Alliance(AFCA).

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: Is this South Sudan’s Symbol of Justice?

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No, this is one of the statues of the Symbol of Justice found in Nigeria. 

Writer: Nancy Ceasar

A Facebook post by Insight Juba with an image supposedly of South Sudan’s Symbol of Justice is false. The image of a statue supported by a stick was shared with the caption, “South Sudan’s statue[ symbol] of justice is tired already.” 

The post had attracted 182 likes, eight comments, and three shares at publication.

A screenshot of the post as published by Insight Juba.

Claim Verification:

211 Check carried out a reverse image search using Google Lens and found instances where the image had been shared in the past. 

In one instance, the image had been posted on X (formerly Twitter) on July 30, 2017. The post reads, “Lmaoooooooooooooo even the symbol of justice in Nigeria is tired(sic).”

Screenshot of the X post. 

Other sources that published the image are listed here and here. 

However, according to various Nigerian sites, the statue was restored as reported here, here, here, here and here.

A further reverse search of the restored statue brings up a clearer image published by the Daily Post in February 2021. 

What is the Statue/Symbol of Justice?

According to LawPadi, the Nigerian Symbol of Justice is a statue of a blindfolded lady holding a sword on one hand and a scale on the other. The blindfold symbolises that justice should be impartial and, therefore, enforces neutrality.

Heather & Little Ltd, in their article, explain in detail the meanings behind the ‘Lady of Justice’ Statue:

“Artwork depicting the Lady of Justice statue, whether in paintings, sculptures, coats of arms, or metal statues, is found worldwide. In North or South America, Europe, Africa, the Middle East, Southern and Eastern Asia, or Australasia, you will likely see the Lady of Justice statue in courthouses, law offices, and legal and educational institutions. The history of the Lady Justice statue goes back many thousands of years, and she typically carries symbols of justice.”

Notably, in Nigeria, this symbol of justice is in different forms, although all the features remain the same and carry the same meaning throughout all the country’s courtrooms. 

On the other hand, South Sudan does not have a statue representing the symbol of Justice and instead uses The National Coat of Arms, which was officially adopted in 2011. It features an African fish eagle with open wings, bearing a gold shield and a crossed spear and spade placed behind the shield. The eagle is seen facing its right side and symbolises strength, resilience, and vision, while the shield and spear represent the protection of the new sovereign state and the people’s hard work to feed it.

South Sudan’s Coat of Arm

Conclusion:

211 Check found a Facebook post by Insight Juba with an image supposedly of South Sudan’s Symbol of Justice as false. The image shows a statue of Nigeria’s Symbol of Justice, which has since been rectified. 

This fact check was published by 211 Check with technical support from Code for Africa’s  PesaCheck newsdesk through the African Fact-Checking Alliance(AFCA).

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: Afriland First Bank in Juba isn’t giving Poverty Relief Fund

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The claim that Afriland First Bank is giving a National Poverty Relief Fund is a hoax and trick designed by scammers to obtain personal details. 

Writer: Abraham Athian

A WhatsApp link widely shared in several direct messages and groups claiming that Afriland First Bank is giving National Poverty Relief Fund worth $ 800 (Eight hundred United States Dollars) is a hoax. 

When clicking on the link, the website claims that a lucky user will have a chance to win $800 after filling out a questionnaire, which inquires about the user’s details and his/her knowledge about Afriland First Bank.

A screenshot of a WhatsApp link 

The scammers are very tricky. They will tell you to answer the questionnaire first and share the link with five WhatsApp groups and 20 friends about their promotion. And wait for the gift to be delivered within 5-7 days after completing the registration. 

Screenshot of a website claim 

The web page has very encouraging comments. Someone may think that the promotion is real because of other people’s comments, which motivate the users to believe in the promotion, for example. “Thanks @ Afriland First Bank! Really, I got a gift”. “I told my friends about it so they can get it too,” which, in the actual sense, is misleading because the comments are static, and the profiles are fake as well as not clickable.

Screenshot of some comments 

Claim Verification:

The Afriland First Bank In Cameroon issued a statement on its Facebook page on Thursday, September 14, 2023. The Post read, “BEWARE OF SCAMMERS”!!! Over the last few days, ill-intentioned individuals have been posing online as Afriland First Bank. They propose a link to access a web platform to steal personal data from internet users.”

They offer users the possibility of substantial amounts being provided, and they participate in a popular nationwide subsidy scheme launched online by First Bank. 

“We wish to inform our esteemed customers and general public that we have not organised such an online scheme. We further wish to remind our customers that we automatically publish our official information on our website ( www.afrilandfirstbank.com ) and our social media platform,” the statement reads in part.

The bank denounced what it called “this fraudulent scheme” devised by scammers and requested the public to be vigilant, considering the growing number of attempts by unscrupulous individuals to defraud unsuspecting users online.

Screenshot of the post by Afriland First Bank

On a separate search for domain details, Whois shows that the fake domain was registered on August 1, 2023, and will expire in August next year. 

Screenshot of a fake domain.

On the contrary, the Whois results for Afriland First Bank’s official website show that it was registered on March 23, 2002, and will expire on March 23, 2024.

Screenshot of Afriland First Bank Domain 

Moreover, the website domain name http://treasuretreat.top/adwtqp/88851586737290191952 does not match the official Afriland First Bank URL www.afrilandfirstbank.com proving that it was a fraudulent scheme designed by the scammers to defraud people. 

A further search by VirusTotal detected that the URL link is Suspicious, Malicious, and Phishing hence, it is unsafe to use. 

Screenshot of Virus Total results 

Conclusion:

211 Check has found the claim that Afriland First Bank is giving the National Poverty Relief Fund a hoax. It is a trick intended to collect personal information and defraud people by scammers. 

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: This is not President Kiir buying potatoes in Munuki Market

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The picture has been on Facebook since September 6, 2023, but its origin is unknown.

Writer: Doki Simon James

A photo shared on a Facebook post by Top in South Sudan allegedly showing President Kiir in Muniki Market, buying potatoes, is false.

Munuki is one of the largest suburbs in Juba City, with two famous main markets of  Suk Libya and  Suk Melissa close to each other.

“Kiir in Munuki Market is buying potatoes today at 4 p.m.,” claims Top in South Sudan’s Post. 

At the time of publication, this claim had attracted 211 reactions, 16 comments, and ten shares, with mixed reactions from members of the public.  A comment from one viewer, “Day by Day,”  said “Thank you for supporting this woman’s business, but you, please purchase her business with some small tip”, while another one lamented, “Photocopy of Kiir.” 

Screenshot of the Facebook post by Top in South Sudan 

Claim Verification:

On investigation, we found that the claim made by Top in South Sudan, an online blog on Facebook, is false.

Levi Kuron, a vendor at Munuki Suk Libya, told 211 Check that the President of the Republic, Salva Kiir, didn’t visit Munuki Market on the stated date and time claimed by the post. Mary Atai, who sells at Munuki Suk Melissa, also said it is untrue, citing that it is unusual.

The post used a photo of a long-bearded person wearing a black suit, a hat (attires familiar to the president), and the name Kiir to create a positive impression in the public and justify the claim that President Kiir went shopping in Munuki Market. 

However, online searches on Google reverse image search, TinEye, and Yandex could not find evidence to confirm that the photo used in the post was taken in Munuki Market or that the person in the photo was President Kiir, as it was never shared on other online platforms. 

Conclusion:

211 Check found the claim made by Top in South Sudan’s Facebook post of a man buying potatoes in Munuki market, alleged to be Kiir, as false. The president of the Republic made no such visit to the Munuki market on the claimed date and time of the post. The photo in the post was not taken in Munuki Market, and the person in the photo is not President Kiir.

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

Explainer: How to Safeguard Your WhatsApp Account from Hacking Attempts

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Shield your WhatsApp Account from hackers with these top tips!

Writer: Jibi Moses

Many people have fallen victim to hacking in various ways, whether in their emails, social media accounts, pages, profiles, or groups. This always causes frustration, disappointment, and the loss of valuable information and resources.

The new trend is WhatsApp hacking. It involves using social engineering techniques (e.g.,  Vishing, phishing, and smishing) to trick users into revealing their account information or clicking malicious links. Once the hacker has access to the user’s account, they can use it to spread malware, scam the user’s contacts, or even steal their data.

Hackers use a standard social engineering technique: sending a message to the user, pretending to be a trusted friend or family member. The message may ask the user to share a verification code, click on a link, or install a file. If the user falls for the trick, the hacker will then be able to gain access to their account.

Do not share your verification code with anyone.

Another common technique is sending a message to the user claiming to be from WhatsApp. The message may warn the user that their account is at risk of being suspended or banned and ask them to click on a link to verify their account information. If the user clicks on the link, they will be taken to a fake WhatsApp login page where the hacker can steal their credentials.

Ignore such phishing messages, and don’t click links on them.

One recent example happened in South Sudan, where a hacker infiltrated a WhatsApp group and managed to manipulate a user. After initiating a new registration of the WhatsApp number, He calls a group member and tells him/her, We are having a meeting in the evening, and to confirm your attendance, I have sent you a code. It’s on your screen; send it to me. However, the code clearly says.. “Enter this verification code on your phone.”

How to protect yourself from WhatsApp hacking

There are several things you can do to protect yourself from WhatsApp hacking:

  1. Be wary of suspicious messages: If you receive a message from someone you don’t know or from a trusted contact asking for something unusual, don’t click on any links or share any information. Instead, contact the person directly through another channel to confirm that they sent the message.

Phishing is a type of cyberattack that involves sending fake or deceptive messages or links that trick you into revealing your personal information or credentials. Hackers may use phishing techniques to hack your WhatsApp account by pretending to be someone you know or trust, such as a friend, family member, colleague, or official entity.

Be wary of suspicious messages such as the one above.

Be wary of suspicious messages such as the one above.

  1. Never share your WhatsApp verification code with anyone: Your WhatsApp verification code is a unique code sent to your phone when you register for WhatsApp or log in to your account from a new device. This code is used to verify that you own the account. Never share your verification code with anyone, even if they claim to be from WhatsApp.
  1. Keep your WhatsApp app and phone up to date. WhatsApp regularly releases updates that patch security vulnerabilities. Make sure to install these updates as soon as they are available.
  1. Enable two-factor authentication (2FA). 2FA adds an extra layer of security to your WhatsApp account by requiring you to enter a code from your phone in addition to your password when logging in. To enable 2FA, go to WhatsApp Settings > Account > Two-Step Verification.

You should also use a strong PIN for two-step verification. Do not use simple or apparent sequences like 123456, 000000, or 111111. Do not use your birthday, phone number, or other personal information as your PIN. Do not write down or share your PIN with anyone.

  1. If you think your WhatsApp account may have been hacked, you should take the following steps immediately:
  • Log out of your WhatsApp account on all devices. You can do this by going to WhatsApp Settings > Account > Unlink Devices.
  • Change your WhatsApp password. Go to WhatsApp Settings > Account > Tap your profile picture > Tap the menu icon (three dots) > Tap Change password.
  • Enable 2FA if you haven’t already.
  • Report the hack to WhatsApp. You can do this via WhatsApp Settings > Help > Contact Us.

These tips can help protect yourself from WhatsApp hacking and keep your account safe.

  1. Additional tips:
  • Be careful about what information you share on WhatsApp. Avoid sharing personal information such as your address, phone number, or date of birth.
  • Be careful about the groups you join. Hackers may create fake groups to trick users into joining and steal their data.
  • Be careful about the files you download from WhatsApp. Only download files from people you know and trust.
  • If you see anything suspicious on WhatsApp, report it to WhatsApp immediately.

Being vigilant and taking the necessary precautions can help keep yourself and your WhatsApp account safe from hackers.

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.

Fact-check: The United Nations isn’t running a peace and security gift in South Sudan

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The online message claiming that the United Nations is running a peace and security gift program of SSP 100,000 is a hoax.

Writer: Makur Majeng

A widely circulated WhatsApp message stating that the United Nations (UN) is running a peace and security gift programme of SSP 100,000 is a hoax.

Screenshot of the forwarded message.

Upon clicking the forwarded link, the website claims that the United Nations (UN) has a peace and security gift programme and directs users to a questionnaire that asks about their knowledge of the United Nations (UN), their age, their opinion about the United Nations (UN), and their gender.

The screenshot of the questionnaire

After answering the four questions, users are instructed to randomly select one of six boxes to win the prize potentially.

The screenshots of the claim web pages

The website then states that participants must share the promotion with five groups or 20 friends on WhatsApp, provide an address for registration, and wait for the gift to be delivered within 5-7 days.

Web pages on the impostor’s website

Claim Verification:

A Google Keyword Search using “United Nations – peace and security gift” yielded no results for such a program or subsidy.

Further investigation revealed that the website’s Uniform Resource Locator (URL) link provided in the claim is flagged as Phishing, Malicious, and containing Malware by VirusTotal, a free service that analyses files and URLs for viruses, worms, trojans, and other types of malicious content.

A Whois domain search of the website’s URL shows that the domain name, which differs from the UN’s domain, was registered in May 2023 and will expire in May 2024.

The screenshot of the claim link’s domain data

On the other hand, the WhoIs information on the UN’s official global website reveals that its domain was registered in January 1995 and will expire in February 2024.

The screenshot of the UN WhoIs data

Additionally, the website domain name https://www.u3rv61e.cn does not align with the URLs typically used by official organisations or institutions, which usually feature ‘.org’ in their URLs, as is the case with the legitimate United Nations Website.

It is evident that the domain does not match the official UN website, and there is no advertisement for such a program on the UN’s website or social media accounts.

Conclusion:

211 Check finds the claim that the UN is running a peace and security gift program, a hoax devised as a phishing scam to trick people into providing their personal information.

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: This picture is not of a South Sudanese man in Gudele, Juba

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The picture has been online since August 2023, but its origin is unknown.

Writer: Makur Majeng

A photo shared in a post by Top in South Sudan, a Facebook page allegedly showing a man in Gudele, Juba, is false.

Gudele is a large neighbourhood in South Sudan’s capital Juba City.

“Gudele Man shared an amazing picture of himself and his bestie watching the music video “RELAX”….,” claims Top in South Sudan’s post.

211 Check investigation reveals that the photo shared by the page was not captured in Gudele, as claimed. 

The photo has been posted multiple times on various social media platforms by different media houses, indicating its widespread usage.

Screenshot of the Facebook post by Top in South Sudan

Claim Verification:

Upon investigation, it was found that the claim made by the Top in South Sudan Facebook page is false. Our research indicates that the photo shared by the page was not captured in Gudele, as they claim. 

A simple Google reverse image search revealed that multiple media houses have used the same photo across different social media platforms. This indicates that the photo in question is not exclusive to Gudele Man or the Top in South Sudan Facebook page. 

Several media outlets have shared the same picture in various contexts, such as travel articles, lifestyle features, and unrelated news stories. 

The photo has been circulating on the internet for some time and has no direct correlation to the claimed scenario of a man in Gudele, Juba, watching a music video.

Conclusion:

211 Check has found the claim in a post by the Top in South Sudan Facebook page, allegedly a photo of a man in Gudele, Juba, false. The photo shared was not taken in Gudele, as claimed, and has been widely circulated across various social media platforms by different media houses.

Online fact-checking tools such as Google Reverse Image Search can help identify an image’s source and usage history. Users must exercise caution and verify claims before sharing or accepting them as true.

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: These pictures of flooding in Unity State are old

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The pictures are from 2022 floods.

Writer: Abraham Athian 

A Facebook post by Bentiu TV allegedly showing photos of a recent flooding incident in Unity State is false. 

The post was published with the caption, “These pictures really make some people happy?” on September 9, 2023.

A screenshot of the Facebook post by Bentiu TV

The post drew the attention of many of the page’s audience, some of whom thought the pictures were of a flooding report in September 2023, garnering 129 likes, 34 comments, and six shares, which made it relevant enough to be checked. 

Claim Verification:

A Google search engine shows that a picture of a plane on water has been online since 2022. South Sudan Eagle Media posted it on X (formerly Twitter). A post read, “The images of Bentiu and Rukona on Unity State floods”. On October 9, 2022.

A screenshot of a post from South Sudan Eagle Media 

The same picture is also on the New Hope Foundation website. Moreover, the other pictures were also posted on the UNHCR  website in July 2023, clearly showing that these pictures were collected from different pages.

Conclusion:

211 Check finds a Facebook post allegedly showing pictures of a recent flooding incident in Unity State false. The pictures are from 2022 floods. 

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