A claim that the Nigerian government is paying a child support fund of N50,000 each to all Nigerian parents has circulated on social media, particularly on WhatsApp.
The message has been shared widely on multiple WhatsApp groups with a call to action to click a particular website or link in the forwarded message.
The claim reads:
“Due to high level of complains from Nigerian parents on the high cost of feeding their children, *President Bola Ahmed Tinubu* have urge that the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation *Betta C. Edu* should open the CHILD SUPPORT scheme. Every Nigerian parents is entitled to receive the sum of ₦50,000 for 6 months. APPLY NOW*https://tr.ee/Child-Support-Fund-Portal”.
CLAIM
The Federal Government is paying a child support fund of N50,000 to all Nigerian parents.
THE FINDINGS
Findings by this fact-checker show that the claim is FALSE, as the link directs users to a phishing website.
A click on the web link redirects you to another website: https://ndlea-recruitment-portal-2024-sv.blogspot.com/?m=1 which displays an NDLEA recruitment link, while the interface shows where the applicant inputs his/her personal details to claim the support fund with a proceed button.
The button takes you to another interface where users are asked to input their bank details.
The texts on that section reads: Your Application for the ongoing FEDERAL GOVERNMENT ₦50,000 CHILD SUPPORT FUND FOR NIGERIAN PARENTS Is now on process. Kindly Validate Your Bank Account Number to proceed to the next step. Note! Applicants Must Be Nigerians By Birth. With a button to click on CONTINUE.
Once the user click on continue, the next interface is where the user is asked to input their bank name and account number.
Then, below that interface are random Facebook comments section allegedly showing people’s appreciation for receiving the Federal Government support fund; thus, making the website look genuine while baiting users to fill in their bank details.
After clicking on submit, the user will be taken to another webpage where they will be asked to share it with 5 groups or 15 friends on WhatsApp so that other parents can be aware of it (Click on the “SHARE” icon below).
Below is the message it displayed after filling the form with your bank details:
“Congratulations, Your account number4567890673.
Is amoung the selected ones to receive the ₦50,000 Child Support Fund from FG.
How to proceed:
- Share it with 5 groups or 15 friends on WhatsApp so that other parents can be aware of this (Click on the “SHARE” icon below).
- You will be redirected automatically to our “PAYMENT FORM” page after the GREEN verification bar is filled.
- You will receive a confirmation Email Within 24hours After Successful Application.
NOTE: Proper Sharing To Your WhatsApp Friends Or Groups Places You At A Higher Chance Of Getting Your Payment Immediately”
However, a check on the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation handles on major social media platforms, especially X and their website revealed that there’s no related news on child support fund being introduced by the Nigerian government.
Also, no reputable news agency published any credible report in that regard.
Thorough checks on the fake child support website also revealed typographical errors on the website. This is a feature synonymous with most phishing scams The FactCheckHub has debunked over the years, as they harvest people’s details to carry out phishing attacks.
The FactCheckHub also reached out to Ajuri Ngelale, a spokesperson to the Nigerian president to confirm the claim. He said “the child support donation is fake and should be disregarded.”
You can learn more about how to identify phishing scams and websites here.
THE VERDICT
The claim that the federal government is paying a child support fund of N50,000 to all Nigerian parents is FALSE; findings show that it is a phishing scam aimed at baiting users to reveal their personal details.
Amala is a tactical Fact-Checker, who is passionate about using Fact-checking to curb the spread of Misinformation and Disinformation which has become prevalent in the media space. She can be reached on X at muonweblessing and LinkedIn on Amala Blessing Muonwe
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