The fact-check archive.
Thousands of dissected hoaxes in Indonesian and English: the claim, what the fact-checkers found, and the sources to verify it yourself.
8,224 fact-checks
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No Ordinary Bus – Robert Mugabe’s Luxury Bus Protest Message
There is no credible evidence to support the claim that the coach shown in the photographs is owned by Robert Mugabe. The pictures in the message depict a bus made by US-based luxury coachbuilder, Newell.
Hoax-Slayer · English · Jun 25, 2011
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Exhibit B-5 Viral Video – Girl Gets Hit By Car After Prank Goes Wrong
A video, which supposedly depicts a young woman being killed by a car after a prank goes horribly wrong, has circulated widely via social media websites and email.
Hoax-Slayer · English · Jun 21, 2011
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Thanks Mr Frog, I Owe You One!
It’s strange how seemingly insignificant incidents can have a profound effect on your life. Back in 2002, I was still pretty new to computers and the Internet.
Hoax-Slayer · English · Jun 14, 2011
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Western Union ‘Too Many Login Attempts’ Phishing Scam
The email is not from Western Union. In fact, the message is a phishing scam designed to steal account login details and credit card information from Western Union customers.
Hoax-Slayer · English · Jun 6, 2011
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Modelling Agency Overpayment Scam
The emails are not from a modelling agency. In fact, the messages are part of an overpayment scam designed to trick victims into “laundering” the proceeds of crime.
Hoax-Slayer · English · Mar 21, 2011
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DHL Notification Malware Email
The emails are not from DHL. The attachments contain malware that, once installed, can connect to malicious websites, download additional malware components and steal personal information from the infected computer.
Hoax-Slayer · English · Mar 12, 2011
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July 2011 – 5 Fridays, 5 Saturdays, 5 Sundays
It is perfectly true that July 2011 has 5 Fridays, 5 Saturdays and 5 Sundays. However, such a combination occurs far more often than every 823 years. The last occurrence was in July 2005 while the next occurrence will take place in July 2016.
Hoax-Slayer · English · Mar 1, 2011
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AOL ‘Billing Update Must be Performed’ Phishing Scam
The message is not from AOL. In fact, the email is a phishing scam designed to trick recipients into providing personal and financial details to Internet criminals.
Hoax-Slayer · English · Feb 22, 2011
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Confusion Over Correct Name for the Medal of Honor
Back in 2008, I published an article about an email hoax that falsely claimed that “Brutus”, a military K9, was awarded the “Congressional Medal of Honor” for rescuing his handler and other soldiers who were taken hostage by insurgents in Iraq.
Hoax-Slayer · English · Feb 19, 2011
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Amber Alert Hoax – Mitsubishi Eclipse With Plate Number 98B351
The claims in the message are false. The message is not a valid Amber Alert and there is no abduction case like the one described. The message is a long-running hoax and should not be forwarded or reposted.
Hoax-Slayer · English · Feb 14, 2011
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Post Express ‘Incorrect Delivery Address’ Malware Emails
The email is not from Post Express or any legitimate postal delivery service. The claim that a package has been returned is untrue. The attachment does not contain a mailing label as claimed.
Hoax-Slayer · English · Feb 9, 2011
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SOMA Virus Warning (Just a Joke)
Many readers might wonder why on Earth I would choose to add a report – however brief – about a Facebook post that is so obviously intended as a joke.
Hoax-Slayer · English · Jan 24, 2011
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Facebook Grant Award Advance Fee Scam
The message is an advance fee scam. There is no prize. The “award notification website” is bogus and has no connection to Facebook. The scam is designed to trick people into sending money and personal information to Internet criminals.
Hoax-Slayer · English · Jan 10, 2011
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Hoax Reports Claim Three Giant Spaceships Heading for Earth
The claims in the stories are utter nonsense. The SETI Institute has denied any knowledge of such an event and has certainly not released a report about the impending arrival of any alien spaceships.
Hoax-Slayer · English · Jan 5, 2011
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Joke – Thanks for all the Educational Emails
The following clever little humour piece provides a telling look at the impact of all those emailed warnings that continue to circulate. The joke circulates via email and has also been posted on many websites, blogs and social networks.
Hoax-Slayer · English · Dec 23, 2010
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Viber ‘Will Become Chargeable’ Hoax
Viber is not set to start charging users for sending messages. The message is just a new version of an old hoax. It is derived from a very similar hoax message that claimed that WhatsApp would start charging users who did not send the warning to others.
Hoax-Slayer · English · Dec 21, 2010
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Facebook Account Update Phishing Scam Email
The email is not from Facebook. In fact, the message is a phishing scam designed to steal Facebook login details. This email, which purports to be from social networking website, Facebook, claims that Facebook is about to implement a new login system.
Hoax-Slayer · English · Dec 12, 2010
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Facebook Change Profile Picture to Cartoon Character Paedophile Warning Hoax
The claims in the warning are false The suggestion that the “cartoon character” profile picture change campaign is a paedophile scheme is utter nonsense.
Hoax-Slayer · English · Dec 6, 2010
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Inaccurate Warning about Fake $50 Australian Banknotes
The information in the message is false. Depending on their year of issue, some legitimate banknotes do not have a name under a portrait. Also depending on their year of issue, some legitimate banknotes may have signatures in different orders.
Hoax-Slayer · English · Dec 3, 2010
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Hilton Hotel Job Offer Scam Email
The email is not from Hilton Hotels and the offered job does not exist. In fact, the message is a scam designed to steal money and personal information from the recipient.
Hoax-Slayer · English · Nov 8, 2010
Entries are collected from public fact-checking sites and link back to the original article.