Critical thinkers and fact-checkers often ponder an endless question: why do people or entities persistently propagate false narratives despite clear evidence disproving them? It is perplexing why individuals, institutions, or organizations willingly engage in such behavior, considering its detrimental impact on the information ecosystem.
However, this issue persists, and some mediums have even carved a niche for themselves as perpetual misinformers, making them subjects for DUBAWA’s investigation. One such organization is the Igbo Times Magazine. Like many others, this publication has drawn DUBAWA’s attention due to its frequent dissemination of outrageous claims aimed at misleading social media users.
A typical example could be seen in March 2024, when the acclaimed news platform published a report claiming that a 17-year-old boy from Enugu State fabricated a “Hydro Metallic Bomb” which was more powerful than a Russian MG4 missile and capable of destroying seven armored tanks. The claim was shared on multiple Facebook groups, including Biafra Network News, Qua LityNews, and Aljazeera News.
When DUBAWA ran its checks, it discovered that the image of the boy in question was of a Ghanaian-British student, who had nothing to do with what the blog reported.
This is hardly an isolated example. After President Bola Ahmed Tinubu won the 2023 election, the candidates of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, and the Labour Party (LP), Peter Obi, expressed dissatisfaction with the electoral process and contested the verdict of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
While this was ongoing, the same blog shared an article alleging that the newly elected president ordered the suspension of all court charges by the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal (PEPT) over fear of his disqualification. DUBAWA verified and discovered this to be a false claim.
Aside from these instances, many other claims from the same publication that were found to be untrue can be found here, here, here, here , here, here, here and here. One common and recurring aspect of the endless false claims shared by the blog is how many people followed and believed what the publication always put out. Many users, as evidenced by their comments, embraced the platform for the ideology and satisfactory bias it provided them. This acceptance seems not only to fortify their existing beliefs but also has a tendency to further propagate misinformation, as these individuals might share and spread the false narratives within their own networks.
Misinformation, which is the spread of false or inaccurate information, is a growing threat in today’s digital world. Its danger lies in its ability to rapidly propagate through social media and other online platforms, often outpacing the reach of factual information.
This can lead to widespread public misunderstandings on critical health, political, and science issues, fostering mistrust, fear, and division within communities. In extreme cases, misinformation can have severe consequences, such as influencing elections, inciting social unrest, or undermining public health efforts, as seen with vaccine hesitancy. The insidious nature of misinformation erodes the foundation of informed decision-making, creating significant risks to societal stability and democratic processes.
Despite all efforts, the platform continues to share false information, prompting the recurring question: why? Reviewing Igbo Times Magazine’s various social media handles reveals that it describes itself as an acclaimed media/news company.
As of DUBAWA’s latest review, the Facebook account had 296,000 likes and 289,000 followers. On X (formerly Twitter), it had 1,969 followers. These accounts consistently share content that appears as snippets or teasers for reports published on its website—reports that have repeatedly been proven false.
When a person encounters a news teaser on social media and clicks the link for details, they are led to a poorly organized website. This site has sections for various report types, but the story clicked is often difficult to find.
Users are frequently redirected, preventing them from accessing the desired content. While a search function exists, it often leads to blank pages, further raising suspicions.
Where Phishing Scams Come In
After several attempts, DUBAWA could barely access Igbo Times Magazine directly from the web. We often encountered blank pages with messages like “No information is available for this page” or “This site cannot be reached.” However, accessing the site through Facebook and Twitter was easier. See the website link here.
Redirections from the news page often lead to betting sites, ads, or invitations to join platforms to earn money. One pop-up from the Twitter page reads: “Congratulations! You have unlocked access to the biggest video game storage on the internet! Click OK to accept the invitation and play the new games without limit.”
Reputable websites do not obstruct user navigation, request personal information, or entice users to click for prizes. These traits are indicative of phishing scams.
Understanding Phishing Scams
Phishing scams are fraudulent attempts to obtain sensitive information, such as usernames, passwords, and credit card details, by pretending to be trustworthy in electronic communications. Common characteristics and types of phishing scams include:
- Deceptive Emails: Phishing emails often come from legitimate sources such as banks, social media sites, online retailers, or other trusted organizations. They may use official logos, language, and formatting to look authentic.
- Urgent or Threatening Language: These emails frequently create a sense of urgency or fear, suggesting a problem with your account or needing immediate action to avoid penalties.
- Fake Links: Phishing emails often contain links that appear to lead to legitimate websites but redirect to fraudulent sites designed to capture your information.
- Attachments: Some phishing emails include attachments that, when opened, can install malware on your computer or device.
Popular Types of Phishing Scams
- Email Phishing: This is the most common type of phishing. Attackers send emails that appear to come from a reputable source, prompting the recipient to click a link or download an attachment.
- Spear Phishing: A more targeted form of phishing, spear phishing involves personalized emails sent to specific individuals or organizations. Attackers gather information about their targets to make the email more convincing.
- Whaling: This type of spear phishing targets high-profile individuals, such as executives or high-ranking officials. The goal is often to steal sensitive corporate data or gain access to critical systems.
- Smishing: This involves phishing attempts via SMS (text messages). The messages often contain a link to a fraudulent website or a phone number to call.
- Vishing: Phishing is conducted through voice calls, in which scammers impersonate legitimate entities to extract personal information over the phone.
- Clone Phishing: Attackers create a near-identical copy of a legitimate email previously sent but modify the attachment or link to include malicious content.
Based on the characteristics of phishing scams, there are indications that Igbo Times Magazine may be involved in such schemes. This suggests that the platform is not only sharing false or misleading content but potentially scamming people who fall prey to its tactics.
Conclusion
Igbo Times Magazine thrives by employing new tactics to spread false narratives and cause chaos. It is not alone; a number of platforms persist in similar activities. This underscores the need for media literacy, which encourages people to verify information, avoid sharing personal details with unknown platforms, and recognize phishing techniques. Coupled with ongoing efforts to combat misinformation, this will result in positive changes in the information ecosystem.
The researcher produced this fact-check per the DUBAWA 2024 Kwame KariKari Fellowship, in partnership with Prime Progress, to facilitate the ethos of “truth” in journalism and enhance media literacy in the country.
Critical thinkers often question why individuals and organizations persistently spread misinformation despite clear evidence disproving it. One such entity, the Igbo Times Magazine, has been repeatedly caught disseminating false claims, misleading social media users. For example, in March 2024, it reported a false story about a boy in Enugu State creating a powerful bomb, which was debunked by DUBAWA's fact-checking.
The magazine has a history of propagating false information, including claims about President Bola Ahmed Tinubu suspending court charges fearing disqualification, which was also found to be false. This platform continues to attract a following who believe and propagate its false narratives, contributing to the dangerous spread of misinformation.
Moreover, Igbo Times Magazine's practice of redirecting users to betting sites and ads suggests involvement in phishing scams. Phishing scams are fraudulent attempts to obtain sensitive information by pretending to be trustworthy entities. Various types include email phishing, spear phishing, whaling, smishing, vishing, and clone phishing. The characteristics of these scams align with the tactics used by Igbo Times Magazine, indicating potential malicious intent.
In conclusion, Igbo Times Magazine, by spreading false information and potentially scamming users, underscores the need for media literacy and verification of information. This highlights the importance of combating misinformation and educating the public on recognizing phishing techniques.
This fact-check was produced by DUBAWA 2024 Kwame KariKari Fellowship in partnership with Prime Progress, promoting truth in journalism and enhancing media literacy.
