By Dawda Baldeh
Claim: D20,000 GIVEAWAY – FREE CASH GRANT For All GAMBIANS
Source: https://get-help-today.site/The-Lessprivileged.html
Verdict: FALSE
Scammers are using the image of Gambian business mogul and multimillionaire philantropist, Modou Turo Darboe, in WhatsApp messages targetted at Gambians with the following:
“If You Missed before. Don’t miss this D20,000 GIVEAWAY – FREE CASH GRANT For All GAMBIANS”.
The post, which is being forwarded to individuals and in WhatsApp groups, also encourages unsuspecting users to visit a website to register for the so-called grant.
“Visit the link below and answer the following questions and you will receive D20,000 Empowerment Funds instantly Today. i just got mine. Click Here👇
https://get-help-today.site/The-Lessprivileged.html”
Fact-Check
To investigate this claim, FactCheck Gambia performed a thorough research to evaluate its legitimacy. We found the website associated with the claim to exhibits suspicious activity aimed at deceiving individuals to acquire their information for potential scam purposes.
When applicants click on the link, they are redirected to a website where they must follow specific instructions.
After completing the form, applicants are also instructed to share the information with WhatsApp groups or fifteen (15) friends to increase their chances of winning the promised prize.
Most of the individuals claiming to have received the payment do not possess Gambian names.
Fact Check Gambia contacted Modou Turo Darboe concerning the claim featuring his photo he said the publication is false, misleading, and a complete SCAM.
Darboe said he has no affiliation whatsoever with the purported cash grant, and has not authorized the use of his image and name in connection with such an initiative.
“Do not engage with this fraudulent scheme, do not provide any personal information, and do not make any payments or follow any instructions from this publication,” he said.
The claimants didn’t respond to email and text message enquiries from FactCheck Gambia.
Observations
Fact Check Gambia also conducted some basic security checks to confirm the reliability of the website where the claim was posted.
It seems that the domain name is unverified, and inquiries through CIFAS, a U. K leading service in fraud prevention yielded no information regarding the website.
While the website presents a feature of a secured website using (https domain), a search on Whois, shows fake registration details including wired ownership names, email addresses and a phone number (+354) 421-2434) that has been lsited on the Online Scam tracking website (https://www.scamwatcher.com/scam/view/734488).
Based on the research by FactCheck Gambia, the claim that there is a “D20,000 GIVEAWAY – FREE CASH GRANT For All GAMBIANS” is FAKE and a SCAM targeting Gambian WhatsApp users.
Verdict: FALSE
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