CLAIM: World Food Programme – Provide cash assistance. Through the questionnaire, you will have a chance to get $800.00 .
SOURCE: Online
VERDICT: False, scam
A message claiming that the World Food Programme is providing cash assistance and those who respond to a questionnaire stand a chance of winning $800 has been circulating online.
When one clicks on the link, they are taken to a page where they are asked to answer 4 questions on the WFP. It is after this that one is asked to jump through hoops.
After answering the questions, one gets a ‘Congratulation! Your answer has been saved successfully! You have a chance to win gifts. You must select the correct box with your prize inside.. You have 3 attempts. Good luck’ message.
On picking a box with money (usually the second pick), one receives the message, ‘Congratulation! You did it! You won $800.00 *** THE RULES *** 1. You must tell 5 groups or 20 friends about our promotions. 2. Enter your address and complete registration. 3. The gifts will be delivered within 5-7 days’.
WFP Cash Assistance
The WFP does offer cash assistance. On its website it states that ‘WFP sends people money to give them the flexibility to choose what they need, when they need it. People spend most of the money WFP sends them on food, but they also can use it to pay medical bills, rent or school fees. Sending people money means that they don’t need to make impossible trade-offs, like deciding to eat less so that they can keep all their children in school’.
WFP sends money to people in 72 countries, including places such as like Somalia, Yemen and Afghanistan, where markets are functioning but people can’t afford to buy food.
Important to note is that getting this cash assistance is not akin to playing the lottery. It is not a random exercise as claimed by the WhatsApp messages being circulated, but a programme with identified beneficiaries.
Phishing
This is a type of online fraud where scammers attempt to trick individuals into revealing personal information, such as passwords, credit card numbers, or social security numbers. They often do this by posing as legitimate entities such as banks, government agencies, or trusted companies.
How Phishing Attacks Work
Phishing attacks typically involve:
- Creating a Phishing Page: The attacker creates a fake website that looks identical to a legitimate website. For example, the scammer’s link has the WFP logo.
- Sending Phishing Emails: The attacker sends emails to potential victims, often with a sense of urgency, claiming that there is a problem with their account or that they need to update their information or they stand a chance to win.
- Tricking the Victim: The victim clicks on the link provided, which takes them to the fake website. They are then prompted to enter their sensitive information. The WFP website is https://www.wfp.org/ while the scammer one is http://tribte.buzz/ftaqrse/World-Food-Programme168189#61729148935643. The links associated with scams are also not secured – http instead of https.
- Stealing Information: Once the victim enters their information, the attacker collects it and uses it for malicious purposes, such as identity theft or financial fraud.
Common Types of Phishing Attacks
There are several types of phishing attacks, including:
- Spear Phishing: Targeted attacks that use personalized information about the victim to make the email appear more convincing.
- Whaling: A type of spear phishing that targets high-profile individuals, such as CEOs or celebrities.
- Smishing: Phishing attacks that use text messages instead of emails.
- Vishing: Phishing attacks that use voice calls instead of emails or text messages.
How to Protect Yourself from Phishing Attacks
To protect yourself from phishing attacks, follow these tips:
Hover Over the Link:
- Don’t Click: Before clicking on a link, hover your mouse pointer over it.
- Check the URL: The actual web address will appear at the bottom of your browser window.
Inspect the URL:
- Look for Red Flags: Be wary of URLs that:
- Are unusually long or complex.
- Contain typos or grammatical errors.
- Have unusual domain extensions (e.g., .xxx, .ru).
- Use a mix of letters, numbers, and symbols.
- Verify the Domain: Make sure the domain name matches the expected website. For example, if you’re expecting a link from your bank, the URL should start with the bank’s official website.
Check for HTTPS:
- Secure Connections: Look for “https” at the beginning of the URL. The “s” indicates a secure connection using SSL/TLS encryption, which helps protect your data.
Conclusion
The claim that the World Food Programme is providing cash assistance through a questionnaire, is false. While the WFP does give cash assistance to intended beneficiaries, these are not randomly selected. It is false that one can get this cash through answering questions on the organisation and getting a gift box. The link is an example of phishing scams where legitimate organisations are cloned to defraud people.
