Tag Archive for: #SouthSudan

Fact-check: Did Donald Trump say everyone in South Sudan is a thief, including civilians?

Global figures like Donald Trump are often subject to fabricated or misattributed quotes online. This is likely one of those cases, with no factual backing.

Writer: Makur Majeng

A recent Facebook post by South Sudanese musician John Frog claims that U.S. President Donald Trump once said, “Everyone is a thief in South Sudan, including civilians.” is false.

The post, which includes the hashtag #GG and a laughing emoji, has sparked curiosity and mixed reactions online. John Frog’s post gained rapid engagement, garnering 160 likes, 60 comments, and one share within five minutes.

“President Donald Trump said everyone is a thief in South Sudan including civilians, what does he mean ?#GG,” reads John Frog’s post.

The screenshot of John Frog’s Facebook post.

Claim Verification:

A Google keyword search using the “Donald Trump everyone is a thief in South Sudan statement” shows no related information.

211 Check conducted a comprehensive review of Donald Trump’s speeches, interviews, and social media accounts like Facebook, and X(formerly Twitter) and revealed no record of him making such a statement about South Sudan. Searches across credible news organizations like CNN and BBC and public records yielded no results.

If Trump had made such a controversial remark, it would have been widely covered by both South Sudanese and international media. However, no credible outlet has reported this claim.

The playful tone of the post, paired with the hashtag #GG and the laughing emoji, suggests it may be satirical or humorous rather than factual. Such exaggerations are common on social media to spark engagement or provoke discussion.

Global figures like Donald Trump are often subject to fabricated or misattributed quotes online. This is likely one of those cases, with no factual backing.

Conclusion:

211 Check has verified that the claim about Donald Trump stating that “Everyone in South Sudan is a thief, including civilians” is false. There is no evidence to support this statement, and it is likely a humorous or satirical comment rather than a factual assertion.

To ensure accuracy and transparency, we at 211 Check welcome corrections from our readers. If you spot an error in this article, please request a correction using this form. Our team will review your request and make the necessary corrections immediately, if any.

It’s vital to fight misinformation and disinformation in the media by avoiding fake news. Don’t share content you’re uncertain about. False information can harm and mislead people, risking their lives—Fact-check before sharing.  For more details, visit https://211check.org/, or message us on WhatsApp at +211 921 350 435. #FactsMatter.

Fact-check: Donald Trump is not offering a $200 grant to Africans

Authentic grant applications or financial assistance programs do not demand users to share promotional links on social media to proceed.

Writer: Makur Majeng

A viral message circulating on WhatsApp groups claiming that U.S. President-elect, Donald Trump is offering a $200 cash grant to Africans, is false. This claim is part of an online scam to deceive users and potentially compromise their personal information.

“Donald Trump donates $200 Grant each to everyone in all African countries as he becomes the president of America for the second time,” reads the fraudulent message 

Screenshot of the WhatsApp message

Upon clicking the provided link, users are shown a pop-up message with instructions to withdraw the grant cash.

“SMS: Congratulations You are qualify for President Trump $200 CASH GRANT FOR AFRICANS. Kindly Press OK to Withdraw Cash Prize”.

Screenshot of the pop-up message

Users are then prompted to answer questions such as, Is Donald Trump a good president? Choose your gender. Select your age group.

Screenshots of the questions

After answering the questions, users are instructed to share the link with five WhatsApp groups or 15 friends before proceeding to the final submission page.

Screenshots of the web page interface

Claim Verification:

A Google keyword search using terms like “Donald Trump $200 grant for Africans” reveals no credible results or related news articles. No announcements or information from reputable sources validate this claim.

Legitimate grant offers or financial aid programs associated with public figures or governments are typically announced via formal channels such as official press releases, established news outlets, or verified social media accounts.

A Whois domain lookup for the link provided indicates that it was registered recently, on February 25, 2024, and is set to expire on February 25, 2025. The domain is not affiliated with Donald Trump or any credible organization associated with him.

Screenshot of the Whois domain analysis

Trump who won the U.S. presidential election recently, has no announcement on all his official social media platforms regarding a $200 grant for each African. 

Analysis:

A VirusTotal scan of the URL confirms that the website poses potential security risks, including redirecting users to phishing pages. These sites may prompt users to download malicious software, complete fake surveys, or enter personal information that can be exploited for identity theft.

The requirement for applicants to share the link with multiple WhatsApp contacts or groups is a classic scam technique. This tactic spreads the fraudulent link quickly and widely, creating a false sense of legitimacy yet it is not.

Authentic grant applications or financial assistance programs do not demand users to share promotional links on social media to proceed.

Conclusion:

211 Check has verified that the claim about Donald Trump offering a $200 grant to everyone in all African countries is a hoax. This is part of a scam campaign aimed at collecting personal information, defrauding victims,  and possibly installing malicious software on users’ devices.

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.

Explainer: Why cyber threats and scams remain a challenge in South Sudan?

Misinformation and disinformation have been weaponised as tools to build trust and to create convincing narratives in phishing email messages or inbox alerts that influence users to accept or take action, whether by revealing their sensitive information.

Writer: Makur Majeng

As the digital space in South Sudan evolved, it has opened the door to cyber threats and scams from social media platforms and other online channels. The digital space continues to be the biggest driver of information dissemination among human populations, powered by both internet and mobile telecommunications penetration in the country.

Facebook and WhatsApp are widely used means of communication for a great majority. However, these platforms have become grounds for numerous cyber threats and scams—a real danger to users. 

Cyber threats are malicious acts that seek to damage data, steal data, or disrupt digital systems. It is normally perpetrated by individuals, criminal organisations, state actors, and terrorist organisations to achieve specific objectives.

Social media scams are suspicious activities by individuals who create fake profiles or pages and unexpectedly contact users on social media to gain their trust and manipulate them. A social media scammer pretends to be a friend, family member, or anybody with specific interests. 

On the other hand, they impersonate real business entities, employers, the government, and investment or online trading platforms.

This explainer provides an analysis to understand why such threats continue in South Sudan’s social media space.

Cyber Threats and Scams

According to a joint advisory issued by SafetyComm and 211 Check, in September this year, there are different categories of cyber scams rampant in South Sudan.

There have been false alarms where users receive notification messages directly in their inbox or email claiming to be sent from Meta or Facebook about page verification, violations of community standards, and copyright infringement

Some of these messages contain threats of account deletion or suspension and demand users to click malicious links within the next few hours. The intention is to entice the users to click malicious links that may lead to the compromise of their accounts.

In addition to that, a phishing attack has been used to acquire personal information such as usernames, passwords, and credit card details. The attack weaponised malicious links embedded into the false alarm notification messages by those masquerading as trustworthy individuals or entities.  

These cyber threats and scam operations involve social engineering techniques by cybercriminals seeking to manipulate victims into providing their confidential data. 

This method involves using lures to obtain clicks, masquerading as known entities or contacts to entice the victim into providing confidential data like passwords, and clicking on a malicious link embedded within job advertisements, promotions, fake giveaways, or investment schemes.

In the last five years, SafetyComm recorded a total of 854 compromised social media accounts between 2021 and 2024. Most of the cyber threats and scams take place on the Facebook platform, which amounts to 57.3%, with WhatsApp (22.8%) and Instagram (18.9%), as documented by the SafetyComm.

The dangers that come after being comprised is that confidential data not meant for the public will get its way into the hands of unauthorised persons, leading to identity theft, data loss, and, in the worst-case scenario, unauthorised access to private materials like nudes. 

Common Cyber Scams 

Scammers send messages with claims that a user’s profile has met the requirements for a verified badge from Meta, and then users are asked to click shady links within 24 hours before it expires. Users received false alerts that they had violated Meta’s Community Standards by allegedly using fake photos or distributing misleading content and directing users to request a review through a malicious link.

Also, scammers threaten users that their accounts have violated copyright infringement and will be deleted if users fail to repeal the incident through a dubious link. 

So why are cyber scams still rampant in South Sudan?

Many social media users do not have the necessary basic cyber security knowledge and tools to detect and prevent deceptive messages or fraudulent activities.  This makes them vulnerable to clicking on malicious email links without a second thought as to whom the link is coming from, as well as reacting to providing confidential personal data when asked by impersonators. 

There are no strong mechanisms now to enforce cyber laws due to a lack of legal basis and expertise by law enforcement agencies in prosecuting various cyber fraud schemes. The Cybercrime and Computer Misuse Bill is still in parliament for deliberations. This shortcoming has empowered cybercriminals to perpetrate deadly operations against online users in the country. 

The Role of Misinformation and Disinformation

Misinformation and disinformation have been weaponised as tools to build trust and to create convincing narratives in phishing email messages or inbox alerts that influence users to accept or take action, whether by revealing their sensitive information like passwords, credit card numbers, and personal details or by doing what the message has urged them to do.

In this context, by spreading false or misleading information, attackers and scammers exploit online users’ emotions in terms of fear and curiosity to lure them in by clicking on malicious links or providing confidential data.

Conclusion:

The digital landscape in South Sudan has significantly remained vulnerable to cyber threats and scams. This is due to a lack of strengthened information technology infrastructure and a lack of digital literacy skills among online users, which leaves them vulnerable to social engineering tactics employed by cybercriminals.

The absence of enforceable cyber laws has created an environment where perpetrators operate with relative impunity, exploiting loopholes and targeting unsuspecting users on platforms like Facebook and WhatsApp.

To overcome these threats, there is a need to improve cybersecurity infrastructure and enhance digital literacy to empower the public on how to detect and avoid cyber scams. Besides, the national parliament should fast-track the enactment of the Cybercrime and Computer Misuse law to set the stage for enforcement to protect online 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 +211 921 350 435. #FactsMatter.

Fact-check: The viral South Sudan Wealth Tracking List document is fake

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.

Fact-check: Former South African President Thabo Mbeki is alive

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

Writer: Kei Emmanuel

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

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

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

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

Screenshot of edited Thabo Mbeki’s Wikipedia page

Claim Verification: 

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

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

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

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

The press release by the Thabo Mbeki Foundation

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

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

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

Conclusion: 

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

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

A publication under 211 Check’s ‘Fact-check for a pay’ Initiative with Support from the International Fact-checking Network through the BUILD grant.

To ensure accuracy and transparency, we at 211 Check welcome corrections from our readers. If you spot an error in this article, please request a correction using this form. Our team will review your request and make the necessary corrections immediately, if any.


It’s vital to fight misinformation and disinformation in the media by avoiding fake news. Don’t share content you’re uncertain about. False information can harm and mislead people, risking their lives—Fact-check before sharing. For more details, visit https://211check.org/ or message us on WhatsApp at +211 917 298 255. #FactsMatters. 

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

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

Writer: Emmanuel Bida

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

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

Screenshot of the original Facebook post

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

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

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

Screenshot of the Facebook post’s edit history.

Claim Verification:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Photo posted by Aggrey Cyrus Kanyikwa on Facebook

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

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

Conclusion:

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

A publication under 211 Check’s ‘Fact-check for a pay’ Initiative with Support from the International Fact-checking Network through the BUILD grant.

To ensure accuracy and transparency, we at 211 Check welcome corrections from our readers. If you spot an error in this article, please request a correction using this form. Our team will review your request and make the necessary corrections immediately, if any.


It’s vital to fight misinformation and disinformation in the media by avoiding fake news. Don’t share content you’re uncertain about. False information can harm and mislead people, risking their lives—Fact-check before sharing. For more details, visit
https://211check.org/ or message us on WhatsApp at +211 917 298 255. #FactsMatters.

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

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

Writer: Nancy Ceasar

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

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

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

A screenshot of the Facebook post

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

A screenshot of the picture from a page named Dimples.

Claim Verification:

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

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

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

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

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

 A screenshot of the picture as published by Information Nigeria.

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

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

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

Conclusion:

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

A publication under 211 Check’s ‘Fact-check for a pay’ Initiative with Support from the International Fact-checking Network through the BUILD grant.

To ensure accuracy and transparency, we at 211 Check welcome corrections from our readers. If you spot an error in this article, please request a correction using this form. Our team will review your request and make the necessary corrections immediately, if any.

It’s vital to fight misinformation and disinformation in the media by avoiding fake news. Don’t share content you’re uncertain about. False information can harm and mislead people, risking their lives—Fact-check before sharing. For more details, visit https://211check.org/ or message us on WhatsApp at +211 917 298 255. #FactsMatter.

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

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

Writer: Nancy Ceasar

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

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

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

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

Screenshot of the sponsored post on Facebook

Claim Verification:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

What is an American Chamber of Commerce?

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

Conclusion:

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

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

A publication under 211 Check’s ‘Fact-check for a pay’ Initiative with Support from the International Fact-checking Network through the BUILD grant.

To ensure accuracy and transparency, we at 211 Check welcome corrections from our readers. If you spot an error in this article, please request a correction using this form. Our team will review your request and make the necessary corrections immediately, if any.


It’s vital to fight misinformation and disinformation in the media by avoiding fake news. Don’t share content you’re uncertain about. False information can harm and mislead people, risking their lives—Fact-check before sharing. For more details, visit
https://211check.org/ or message us on WhatsApp at +211 917 298 255. #FactsMatter.

Fact-check: MTN South Sudan isn’t offering a free 10GB Christmas offer?

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.

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: Mc Lumoex is a South Sudanese singer, not a Ghanaian

Mc Lumoex has been incorrectly labelled as Ghanaian instead of being recognised as a South Sudanese singer.

Writer: Christopher Luate Obede 

A Facebook post published by Legit.ng Breaking News, featuring an image of a South Sudanese singer, Mc Lumoex, referring to him as a Ghanaian, is false.

Legit.ng Breaking News is a verified Facebook page that describes itself as a modern digital news platform in Nigeria with over 2.8 million followers. “Ghanaian Singer Forced to End Performance Abruptly After Trousers Ripped Apart While on Stage,” it said in its report.

Screenshot of the Facebook post by Legit.ng Breaking News.

Claim Verification:

A reverse image search by 211 Check finds that THE SOUTH AFRICA also published the image’s caption with a video clip shared on Facebook by a South Sudanese blogger, Hot in Juba

TUKO.co.ke, a Kenyan digital news outlet, also reported the same incident during performances at the South Theatre Academy Awards at Juba’s Freedom Hall on Friday, 22 December 2023.

Google search for “Mc Lumoex” only returns results with his bio related to South Sudan, not Ghana.

Who is Mc Lumoex?

Mc Lumoex, who said in an interview with the City Review Newspaper that his real name is Isaac Lumori Anthony, is a South Sudanese artist who has recorded several songs. He says that apart from his artistic job, he serves as a network engineer in the field of ICT (Information Communication Technology)

Conclusion:

211 Check finds the claim that Mc Lumoex is a Ghanaian false. The singer is a South Sudanese, based on his online biographical 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