Fact Check: Ignore this scam, no grant application at finance ministry
A false Facebook post has been circulating on Facebook with claims that the South Sudan Ministry of Finance and Planning has opened a grant application worth $350M. The post is False.
The false post claims that the grant from the National Ministry of Finance is the funds received from the International Money Funds (IMF), the International Fund for Agriculture and Development (IFAD), the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), and the Global Entrepreneurship Network to boost businesses and organizations in South Sudan.
The post reads:
GRANT APPLICATIONS!! Applications are still ongoing following the grant worth $350M we received from the International Monetary Fund, International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), and the Global Entrepreneurship Network. This program is targeted to boost trade, investment and agriculture. This is an attempt to strengthen our businesses and organizations to nourish our nation's financial situation. I urge applicants from all sectors to apply through this link>>>>https://bit.ly/3v52HFeEnsure you provide accurate Information. Application Deadline is 20th December, 2022. the post reads.
However, the Director of Information at the National Ministry of Finance and Planning, Tek Stephen Ogut, termed the information as “fake news.”
"The information is fake news circulated by people operating fake accounts," Ogut told Radio Tamazuj.
The information official said the ministry currently has no open grant applications for the public.
The fake post received more than 1,500 likes, 31 comments 15 shares.
With the harsh economic situation in the country where many citizens in the country are looking for sources of income and employment opportunities, online defrauders from time to time find this an easy way to steal from gullible citizens. Beware!
Radio Tamazuj seeks to debunk misleading information in South Sudan. If you have a claim that you would wish to be verified, please get in touch with us via contact@radiotamazuj.org.