FACTS CHECKING "2021 DANGOTE EMPOWERMENT" - THE PREMIUM FACTS CHECKERS GROUP

 STORY

The story we used for the facts checking assignment was a story that was circulating on WhatsApp and other social media platforms. The story reads as follow:

“The Dangote Foundation is dedicated to adding value to people’s lives across Africa by facilitating health, education and empowerment initiatives, Proceed Now To Apply By Filling The Provided Form and Choose Your Preffered Payment Method, Your Account Will Be Credited As Soon As Possible.”

1. Going through the official website of Dangote Foundation, there was no such offering of cash prizes as a form of empowerment by the foundation.
2. The website that shared the said information also has no contact information. Although there is a Contact Button, nothing appears when you click on it. This clearly makes it a fake or phishing website.
3. The site also has only one webpage which makes it suspicious.
4. A fact checking organization by the name Dubawa.com also confirmed the said story to be fake.
5. When the Dangote Foundation was contacted by Dubawa.Com, they disclosed to them the information is false.
6. According a trusted news website by name Vanguardngr.Com, the Dangote Foundation in a statement signed by Mr. Francis Awowole-Browne, Director, Corporate Communication Department, Dangote Industries Limited, said the scheme was a scam.
7. A search of the named director of the Corporate Communication Department, Francis Awowole-Browne revealed that he is indeed a member of company.
8. The International Centre for Investigative Reporting, which is also a credible facts-checking firm in Nigeria also confirmed the falsehood of the “2021 Dangote Support Fund

CRITERIA FOR FACT-CHECKING THE STORY

1.      We checked from a facts-checking website for the credibility of the story

2.      We searched the profile of the director of the Corporate Communication Department of Dangote Industries Limited on LinkedIn to confirm his position in the company as “Vanguard.com” indicated.

3.      We also verified the authenticity of the website which shared the information by looking out for basic requirements of an official website such as contact details and different webpages.

4.      We also made follow-up on the official website of the Dangote Foundation to check if there is such information on their site.

5.      We also searched if other credible sources have the same story but the result was negative.

     In view of the above findings, we've come to the conclusion that the story is false and is intended to steal personal information of people who fall for it.

6.      We have attached links to our sources and a PDF Version of the Report for easy verification and perusal.

SOURCES

Source 1

Source 2

Source 3

Source 4

PDF Version of the Report

GROUP MEMBERS

1.      RICHMOND JOE BAIDOO        -           20130013

2.      BARNABAS ESSEL                    -          

3.      MICHAEL BOAKYE                  -          

4.      RHODA KRAH                           -           20120028

5.      ELSIE OFUATEY KOJDOE       -           20120032

6.      NADEEN MENSAH                  -           20130018

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