Libya's government has denied claims of offering financial grants to citizens in celebration of the holy month of Ramadan. The claims, which were circulating on social media platforms, including Facebook Messenger, were found to be fraudulent. According to Annir, a fact-checking organization, the claims were part of a phishing scam aimed at stealing sensitive personal data.
The fraudulent claims included links to websites that mimicked official government websites, complete with fake logos and branding. The websites requested users to enter their personal data, including full names and phone numbers, and also sought permission to access data stored on their devices. Annir's investigation revealed that the websites were not affiliated with the Libyan government and were instead commercial domains.
Further investigation by Annir found that the same scam was being run with different logos and branding, including that of the UNHCR. This suggested that the scammers were using a template to target a wide audience. The organization warned users to be cautious when clicking on links from unknown sources and to never enter sensitive personal data on suspicious websites.
The Libyan government's official website, libyangov.info, was checked by Annir, and no information was found about the alleged financial grants. The organization concluded that the claims were false and were part of a phishing scam. Despite the websites not containing viruses, Annir warned that they could still be used for malicious purposes, including data theft.
Annir's investigation involved checking the websites through VirusTotal, a tool used to detect malware. While the websites were found to be free of viruses, the organization still classified the claims as false and warned users to be vigilant. The scam is believed to have been designed to target a large audience, with the scammers changing logos and branding to make the claims appear legitimate.
The Libyan government has not made any official announcements about financial grants for Ramadan. Users are advised to be cautious when receiving messages or links from unknown sources and to verify information through official channels before taking any action. Annir's findings have been shared on social media to raise awareness about the scam.
This is not the first time that Libya has been targeted by phishing scams. In the past, fake news stories have been spread on social media, including claims about laws being passed or government policies being implemented. Annir's work aims to counter such misinformation and provide accurate information to the public.
Key points
- The Libyan government has denied claims of offering financial grants for Ramadan, warning citizens to be cautious of fraudulent links and phishing scams.
