By Dawda Baldeh
Claim: Free Data for Old Africell Users in Gambia and Sierra Leone
Source: Sharpupdate.org
Verdict: False
Claim
Scammers are exploiting Africell, a giant telecommunications provider in The Gambia and Sierra Leone, through WhatsApp messages aimed at long-time Africell users in Gambia and Sierra Leone, urging them to visit a specific website link included in the message to obtain free data.
The message began with a statement that said: “Congratulations to all Africell old customers in Gambia and Sierra Leone.”
It asserted that old Africell SIM card holders with six months or more are qualified for free data ranging from 5GB to 100GB.
“6 months old sim 5GB, 1 year and above 10 GB, 5 years and above 50bg and 10 years plus 100 GB,” the post said, claiming that the company is celebrating its old customers by offering free data.
Fact-check:
As the claim continues to circulate in WhatsApp groups, Fact Check Gambia opted to investigate and uncover the truth behind the assertion.
Clicking on the link directs browsers to an SMS text that states; “Congratulations, your Africell SIM card is eligible to receive a free data old SIM card reward, click OK to activate now.
This raised a suspicious activity that is aimed at targeting users.
Below 👇 is a screenshot of the post
However, individuals who followed the instructions and filled in their details are mandated to share the post to five groups or at least 15 individuals before they can receive their proposed benefits.
However, those who followed the instructions and entered their details are required to share the post with five groups or at least 15 individuals before they can receive the promised rewards.
This occurs during a period when GSM operators are offering summer tariffs promotions at reduced rates, but not specifically for old customers as claimed by the viral WhatsApp post.
Further inquiries indicated that Africell has not made any such announcements on their social media platforms or in the media that typically disseminate their advertisements.
Fact Check Gambia also contacted Africell regarding the post, and a senior company official confirmed that the claim is false.
“This is fake,” said Waka Jagne a senior staff member.
Further search on VirusTotal a website for detecting fake accounts revealed that the website is linked to scammers as it was reported several times as malicious.
A similar scam was debunked by Fact-Checkers at Dubawa in 2023 under the headlie: False! Africell not donating free data to old clients.
Verdict: False
Based on the research by FactCheck Gambia, the claim that there is a “Free Data for old Africell users in Gambia and Sierra Leone” is FAKE and a SCAM targeting Africell users.
