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Claim: A Facebook user, Ivan Jaw, has reported that an E-Visa platform is a reliable way to obtain a visa for Sierra Leone.
Verdict: False. According to the Sierra Leone Immigration Department (SLID), the website mentioned is fraudulent and unauthorised. The official platform for Sierra Leone visa applications is www.slid.gov.sl, which connects users to e-visa.
Full Text
The Facebook post by Ivan Jaw, which has since garnered attention online, encourages users to trust and patronise an E-Visa platform in Sierra Leone, describing it as a reliable source for obtaining visas. In the post, Ivan described the process as seamless and safe, urging individuals to consider it the best platform for visa applications to Sierra Leone. DUBAWA decided to fact-check this claim because of its potential to defraud people.
Verification
DUBAWA traced a press release issued by the Sierra Leone Immigration Department (SLID) dated November 20, 2024. The press release explicitly described the activities of https://www.visasierra.com as fraudulent. The statement further indicated that the website poses a significant risk to the reputation of the country’s e-visa system. The department clarified that individuals applying for a Sierra Leone visa should use the official website, as it is the sole channel mandated by the government.
The press release reads:
“The Department wishes to inform the general public that the official website for applying for Sierra Leone visas is www.slid.gov.sl, which would take you to the visa.sl portal, which is the mandated Government of Sierra Leone platform for visa applications and issuance.”
The department further advised people to avoid using fraudulent websites to ensure their data and money are protected.
A thorough check was conducted on the official SLID website and the fraudulent platform to verify the site. While www.slid.gov.sl links directly to the Sierra Leone government’s e-visa services, https://www.visasierra.com displays misleading information designed to deceive unsuspecting users into believing it is legitimate.
When DUBAWA contacted Ivan, he did not provide any evidence supporting his claim, further solidifying that his statement lacked credibility and was likely influenced by misinformation or direct association with the fraudulent platform.
Conclusion
The claim made by Facebook user Ivan Jaw, endorsing E-Visa to Sierra Leone as a legitimate visa platform, has been proven false. The Sierra Leone Immigration Department has confirmed that the website https://www.visasierra.com is fraudulent and poses significant user risks. The official and only authorised platform for Sierra Leone e-visa is www.slid.gov.sl, which links to visas. Sl.
