Why the Fake Government Grant Looked Real

Introduction

One of the most common modern hoaxes linked to South Sudan is not a forged relic or an invented legend but a fake government grant. Over the past several years, scammers have repeatedly created Facebook pages and social-media accounts that copied the names, logos and imagery of government ministries, then announced large funding programmes supposedly offering grants, loans or business support. The schemes often promised millions of dollars for entrepreneurs, farmers or small businesses and directed people towards application forms, private messages or suspicious websites. Investigations by fact-checkers and official ministries consistently found that these announcements were fraudulent and that the accounts behind them were not genuine government channels.[radiotamazuj.org]radiotamazuj.orgRadio TamazujFact Check: Ignore this scam, no grant application at…December 13, 2022 — A false Facebook post has been circulating on F…Published: December 13, 2022

These cases are important because they reveal a distinctive form of deception in South Sudan’s digital era. The scam did not depend on sophisticated hacking. Instead, it relied on imitation: a copied ministry name, an official-looking photograph, a government emblem and a promise of desperately needed financial assistance. In a country where access to capital is limited and many people look to government and international donors for economic opportunities, such claims could appear plausible.[Eye Radio]eyeradio.orgEye Radio Finance ministry cautions public against 'scamming' socialBak Barnaba Chol alleged that the ministry is seeking application for the grant, after…Read more…

The False Grant Announcement and Copied Ministry Identity

The best-documented examples involved fake accounts claiming to represent South Sudan’s Ministry of Finance and Planning. In 2020, fact-checkers examined a Facebook page that announced grants worth more than US$41 million for entrepreneurs, claiming cooperation between the government, the World Bank and other organisations. The ministry publicly rejected the announcement, describing the page as bogus and the grant offer as false.[Fact Check AFP]factcheck.afp.comsouth sudan dismisses claim it giving grants worth 414 million entrepreneursFact Check AFPSouth Sudan dismisses claim it is giving grants worth $41.4…30 Jul 2020 — the claim is false. The finance ministry has d…

The pattern reappeared in later years. Radio Tamazuj investigated a circulating Facebook post that claimed the finance ministry had opened applications for a US$350 million grant programme. The outlet found the claim to be false, and the ministry denied any such initiative.[Radio Tamazuj]radiotamazuj.orgRadio TamazujFact Check: Ignore this scam, no grant application at…December 13, 2022 — A false Facebook post has been circulating on F…Published: December 13, 2022

By 2024, authorities were again warning the public about a fake Facebook account that used the name of Finance Minister Dr Bak Barnaba Chol and claimed that businesses could apply for funding linked to an alleged US$11 million agreement with international partners. The ministry stated that the announcement was fraudulent and urged citizens to ignore it.[Eye Radio]eyeradio.orgEye Radio Finance ministry cautions public against 'scamming' socialBak Barnaba Chol alleged that the ministry is seeking application for the grant, after…Read more…

The same technique appeared outside the finance ministry. In 2022, South Sudan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs warned that a fake account purporting to belong to Foreign Minister Mayiik Ayii Deng was advertising loans and grants. Officials stressed that the minister did not operate the Facebook account and that the offer should be disregarded.[Africa Press English]africa-press.netAfrica Press EnglishIt's a scam, Mayiik warns public - South SudanOctober 18, 2022 — 18 Oct 2022 — The fake account called on the public…Published: October 18, 2022

What makes these cases notable is their consistency. The names changed, the sums changed and the supposed partners changed, but the underlying mechanism remained almost identical.

How Branding, Urgency and Economic Need Built Trust

The fake grant pages exploited three powerful sources of credibility.

First, they borrowed government identity. A ministry logo, a photograph of a minister or a page title closely resembling an official department created an immediate impression of authority. On social platforms, where many users judge authenticity from visual cues rather than institutional verification systems, this alone could make a page appear legitimate.[radiotamazuj.org]radiotamazuj.orgRadio TamazujFact Check: Ignore this scam, no grant application at…December 13, 2022 — A false Facebook post has been circulating on F…Published: December 13, 2022

Second, the scammers attached their offers to respected organisations. Several false announcements claimed partnerships with bodies such as the World Bank, the African Development Bank, UNESCO or other international development actors. The inclusion of recognisable institutions helped make extraordinary funding claims seem believable.[afp.com]factcheck.afp.comsouth sudan dismisses claim it giving grants worth 414 million entrepreneursFact Check AFPSouth Sudan dismisses claim it is giving grants worth $41.4…30 Jul 2020 — the claim is false. The finance ministry has d…

Third, the messages appealed to genuine economic needs. South Sudan faces significant development challenges, and grants for agriculture, entrepreneurship and small businesses are familiar concepts within international aid programmes. Because real donor-funded initiatives do exist, fabricated versions can blend into the information environment. The deception worked not because the offers were completely implausible, but because they resembled opportunities people hoped might be real.[Radio Tamazuj]radiotamazuj.orgRadio TamazujFact Check: Ignore this scam, no grant application at…December 13, 2022 — A false Facebook post has been circulating on F…Published: December 13, 2022

Many of the posts also introduced urgency. Users were encouraged to apply quickly, submit personal details or follow external links before an apparent deadline. This pressure reduced the likelihood that recipients would independently verify the information through official channels.[Radio Tamazuj]radiotamazuj.orgRadio TamazujFact Check: Ignore this scam, no grant application at…December 13, 2022 — A false Facebook post has been circulating on F…Published: December 13, 2022

How the Scams Were Exposed

The exposure process was usually straightforward once journalists, fact-checkers or ministry officials examined the claims.

In the major grant cases, investigators compared the announcements with official ministry communications and found no evidence that the programmes existed. Government departments issued public warnings identifying the accounts as fake, while independent fact-checking organisations documented inconsistencies and traced the claims to unauthorised social-media pages.[radiotamazuj.org]radiotamazuj.orgRadio TamazujFact Check: Ignore this scam, no grant application at…December 13, 2022 — A false Facebook post has been circulating on F…Published: December 13, 2022

The debunking often relied on a simple question: did the ministry itself acknowledge the programme through its recognised communication channels? In these cases, the answer was no. Instead, officials repeatedly stated that the pages were fraudulent and urged citizens not to submit information or engage with the operators.[facebook.com]facebook.comMinistry of Finance and PlanningScam alert! Disregard the fake account announcing a submission of application for enterprise fund…

South Sudanese fact-checking initiatives and anti-misinformation projects have also played a growing role in identifying false online content. During periods of heightened misinformation, local organisations and media outlets developed systems for verifying claims and issuing public alerts when fabricated announcements began circulating.[UNDP]undp.orgtackling misinformation hatefreesouthsudan during covid 19tackling misinformation hatefreesouthsudan during covid 19

Why the Fake Grant Looked Real

The most revealing aspect of these scams is how little fabrication was actually required.

A scammer did not need to create forged documents, invent a complex financial scheme or infiltrate government systems. Often, copying a ministry name, downloading publicly available photographs and posting a professionally worded announcement was enough to create the appearance of legitimacy. Sponsored social-media posts could further amplify visibility and make a page seem established or important.[Facebook]facebook.comOpen source on facebook.com.

This reflects a broader shift in how authority is represented online. In earlier eras, official status was demonstrated through physical documents, seals and letterheads. On social media, authority can be imitated through profile pictures, banners, usernames and carefully chosen language. The visual markers are cheaper to reproduce, while audiences may have fewer opportunities to verify authenticity immediately.[Facebook]facebook.comOpen source on facebook.com.

For that reason, the fake grant announcements belong within South Sudan’s wider history of forged authority. Like forged presidential letters or counterfeit official documents, they attempted to borrow the credibility of the state without possessing any genuine governmental power.

What the Scams Reveal About Online Impersonation

These incidents are less significant because of any single fake grant announcement than because of the pattern they reveal. The scams demonstrate how digital impersonation can transform government identity into a reusable tool for fraud.

Several recurring lessons emerge:

• Authority can be copied cheaply. A ministry name and logo are often easier to imitate than official paperwork.[Radio Tamazuj]radiotamazuj.orgRadio TamazujFact Check: Ignore this scam, no grant application at…December 13, 2022 — A false Facebook post has been circulating on F…Published: December 13, 2022
• Economic hardship increases vulnerability. Offers of grants, loans and business funding naturally attract attention when legitimate opportunities are scarce.[Eye Radio]eyeradio.orgEye Radio Finance ministry cautions public against 'scamming' socialBak Barnaba Chol alleged that the ministry is seeking application for the grant, after…Read more…
• International brands add credibility. References to major development institutions help fraudulent claims appear trustworthy.[afp.com]factcheck.afp.comsouth sudan dismisses claim it giving grants worth 414 million entrepreneursFact Check AFPSouth Sudan dismisses claim it is giving grants worth $41.4…30 Jul 2020 — the claim is false. The finance ministry has d…
• Verification remains the strongest defence. The most effective debunking came from checking whether a ministry had actually announced the programme through recognised channels.[mafs.gov.ss]mafs.gov.ssAgriFood MinistrySCAM ALERT NOTICEThe Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (MAFS) wishes to alert the general public about fraudulen…

Within South Sudan’s modern catalogue of deception and misinformation, fake government grant schemes are a clear example of how online impersonation can exploit trust in public institutions. The hoax did not require an elaborate invented story. It only needed a convincing imitation of authority and an audience willing to believe that financial help might finally have arrived.

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Further Reading

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Scam Me If You Can

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The Confidence Game

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Shows how authority and need are exploited by fraudsters.

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The Misinformation Age

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Helps explain online spread of false grant announcements.

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A Field Guide to Lies

By Daniel J. Levitin

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Endnotes

1. Source: factcheck.afp.com
Title: south sudan dismisses claim it giving grants worth 414 million entrepreneurs
Link:https://factcheck.afp.com/south-sudan-dismisses-claim-it-giving-grants-worth-414-million-entrepreneurs

2. Source: facebook.com
Link:https://www.facebook.com/Tamazuj/posts/a-false-facebook-post-has-been-circulating-on-facebook-with-claims-that-the-sout/525541146273337/

3. Source: africa-press.net
Link:https://www.africa-press.net/south-sudan/all-news/its-a-scam-mayiik-warns-public

Published: October 18, 2022

4. Source: facebook.com
Link:https://www.facebook.com/100087049404977/posts/scam-alertdisregard-the-fake-account-announcing-a-submission-of-application-for-/306835302228114/

5. Source: undp.org
Title: tackling misinformation hatefreesouthsudan during covid 19
Link:https://www.undp.org/south-sudan/stories/tackling-misinformation-hatefreesouthsudan-during-covid-19

6. Source: facebook.com
Link:https://www.facebook.com/hotinjuba/posts/a-sponsored-facebook-post-on-a-fake-account-of-the-ministry-of-finance-and-plann/4943390712394236/

7. Source: facebook.com
Link:https://www.facebook.com/211check/posts/factcheck-business-grant-scam-in-south-sudan-resurfaces-on-facebook-a-sponsored-/510661677231463/

8. Source: facebook.com
Link:https://www.facebook.com/100075949121921/posts/%F0%9D%90%8F%F0%9D%90%94%F0%9D%90%81%F0%9D%90%8B%F0%9D%90%88%F0%9D%90%82-%F0%9D%90%8D%F0%9D%90%8E%F0%9D%90%93%F0%9D%90%88%F0%9D%90%82%F0%9D%90%84-%F0%9D%90%81%F0%9D%90%84%F0%9D%90%96%F0%9D%90%80%F0%9D%90%91%F0%9D%90%84-%F0%9D%90%8E%F0%9D%90%85-%F0%9D%90%85%F0%9D%90%91%F0%9D%90%80%F0%9D%90%94%F0%9D%90%83%F0%9D%90%94%F0%9D%90%8B%F0%9D%90%84%F0%9D%90%8D%F0%9D%90%93-%F0%9D%90%92%F0%9D%90%8E%F0%9D%90%82%F0%9D%90%88%F0%9D%90%80%F0%9D%90%8B-%F0%9D%90%8C%F0%9D%90%84%F0%9D%90%83%F0%9D%90%88%F0%9D%90%80-%F0%9D%90%80%F0%9D%90%82%F0%9D%90%82%F0%9D%90%8E%F0%9D%90%94%F0%9D%90%8D%F0%9D%90%93%F0%9D%90%92%F0%9D%9F%91-%F0%9D%90%8C%F0%9D%90%9A%F0%9D%90%B2-%F0%9D%9F%90%F0%9D%9F%8E%F0%9D%9F%90%F0%9D%9F%94-%F0%9D%90%89%F0%9D%90%AE%F0%9D%90%9B%F0%9D%90%9A-%F0%9D%90%8C%F0%9D%90%85%F0%9D%90%80%F0%9D%90%88%F0%9D%90%82the/986052220603073/

9. Source: facebook.com
Link:https://www.facebook.com/Tonjtimes/posts/trustline-legal-consultants-issues-public-notice-over-alleged-fake-facebook-acco/1464078835740785/

10. Source: facebook.com
Link:https://www.facebook.com/MoFBW/posts/this-is-to-caution-the-public-of-the-fake-post-on-the-ministrys-facebook-page-re/1360021657541021/

11. Source: facebook.com
Link:https://www.facebook.com/EswatiniGov/posts/public-notice-the-ministry-of-finance-warns-the-public-of-a-fake-misleading-mess/260265119630165/

12. Source: facebook.com
Link:https://www.facebook.com/youngdestinya/posts/fraud-alertif-you-receive-message-below-ignore-it-is-fakehello-uso-there-is-an-o/3471699593159060/

13. Source: radiotamazuj.org
Link:https://www.radiotamazuj.org/en/news/article/fact-check-ignore-this-scam-no-grant-application-at-finance-ministry

Published: December 13, 2022

14. Source: africacheck.org
Title: ignore facebook page offering financial grants south sudan
Link:https://africacheck.org/fact-checks/meta-programme-fact-checks/ignore-facebook-page-offering-financial-grants-south-sudan

15. Source: eyeradio.org
Title: Eye Radio Finance ministry cautions public against ‘scamming’ social
Link:https://www.eyeradio.org/finance-ministry-cautions-public-against-scamming-social-media-post/

16. Source: mafs.gov.ss
Link:https://mafs.gov.ss/%F0%9F%9A%A8-scam-alert-notice-%F0%9F%9A%A8/

Additional References

17. Source: youtube.com
Title: Al-Shabaab exploits Kenya’s divisions to wage war
Link:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j13wvZND5zk

18. Source: youtube.com
Title: Inside Al Shabaab: The extremist group trying to seize Somalia
Link:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KVSw0E9Y1RI

19. Source: youtube.com
Title: Somalia: Govt bans Al Shabaab ‘propaganda’ contents
Link:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vean7jaorHc

20. Source: youtube.com
Link:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5hKAyQIc5rk

21. Source: youtube.com
Title: How Al-Shabab is recruiting young men from Kenya
Link:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xc6wfF9sV90

22. Source: youtube.com
Link:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y3sVpeTFXzE

23. Source: Wikipedia
Title: Nelson Kwaje
Link:https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nelson_Kwaje

24. Source: voanews.com
Link:https://www.voanews.com/a/south-sudan-media-rights/1785335.html