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Claim: A viral Facebook post asks Gambian citizens to apply for personal loans with only ID required.
Verdict: False: Checks by Dubawa reveal that the claim calling on people to apply for personal loans using the Voter ID by a Gambian opposition leader is fake.
Screenshot of the post
Full text:
On August 29, 2024, a Facebook user (HighRise Services) shared a post with the Voter ID of the opposition Gambia Action Party (GAP) leader, Musa Ousainou Yali Batchilly, calling on people to apply for personal loans.
As of September 9, 2024, the post generated over 400 likes, 40 comments, and 4 shares by the time of this fact-check.
In the comments section, some people expressed interest in applying for the loan advertised by the fake account while others raised alerts.
Dembafk Jallow said: “am equally interested, how can I access the loan? Thanks dearly.”
Lang Manneh also said; “Am so interested in am professional driver instructor thanks God will pay you guys more than that yeah really thank family.”
One Facebook user; Amadou Korka Bah commented: “Guy is fake web, don’t have any put ur details on this side.”
Mahamadou Camara questioned the post’s authenticity, saying, “Hey everyone, is this true?”
According to the post bearing the Voter ID of the GAP leader, applicants interested in the loans are only required to upload their National Identity Cards.
“Only ID is required. No Credit Check Required, Proof of income isn’t required and could be completed in 2 minutes,” the post said.
Verification
Dubawa searched for the Gambia Action Party (GAP) leader’s Facebook page but didn’t show any content in line with the claim.
A click on the first fake link (Apply loans in USA) led to a different website which also claimed to be directing people how to apply for the loans.
According to the fake website (loanmarket24.com) people can fill a form and borrow up to $5000 if approved.
Dubawa also contacted Musa Ousainou Yali Batchilly whose Voter ID is used on the post.
“I want to make it unequivocally clear that I do not know about this activity, and at no point have they contacted me regarding this matter.
“I firmly disassociate myself from any action or claim made by HightRise Services.
Let everyone exercise caution and refrain from engaging with this blog,” he reacted.
Conclusion
Based on our research and information gathered, the post bearing the Voter ID of the GAP leader calling on people to apply for Personal loans is fake, a scam purposely targeting Facebook users to obtain valuable information from them.