Facebook page claims to represent Africa’s richest man and promises ‘hot giveaway'

This article is more than one year old.
Published on November 14, 2019 at 15:52
Updated on November 18, 2019 at 14:29
2 min read
By Monique NGO MAYAG

Facebook posts shared thousands of times claim that Africa's richest man Aliko Dangote is planning a 'hot giveaway' of cash, cars and scholarships to study abroad. But the Facebook page behind the claim is fake and a spokesman for Dangote's business empire told AFP the posts are a 'scam'.

The posts, which we've archived here, here and here, were all published on a Facebook page, 'Dangote New Month Hot GiveAway' on November 6.

'My name is Dangote, I am the richest man in Africa', says one of the posts, referring to Nigerian billionaire Aliko Dangote.

The post, which has racked up over 6,000 shares, asks Facebook users to leave a comment asking for something from a list including 'money', 'car', and 'promote your business'. It promises that Dangote will 'surprise' them.

A screenshot of the fake post, taken on November 15, 2019

The three posts have attracted thousands of shares and hundreds of comments, including pleas for everything from cars to 'money for medical expenses' and 'money to further more my education'.

A screenshot of comments on the Facebook post, taken on November 15, 2019

However, a spokesman for Dangote's business empire told AFP the Facebook page was "a scam".

"We also came across this offer on Facebook, and as you can see, it is from a page created in Nigeria. It is all fake," Jean Kadje-Kamga, Senior Public Relations Officer for Dangote Cement Cameroon told AFP by e-mail.

"Dangote Industries Limited is in no way giving out what is listed below. It is a fake, and you should rather consider it as a scam," he said.

The posts began surfacing shortly after a genuine giveaway by the Dangote Group, which ran this summer and was extended until October 31. It invited customers to buy a promotional bag of cement to be in with a chance of winning prizes, including cars and TVs.

Who is Aliko Dangote?

Forbes magazine lists 62-year-old cement tycoon Aliko Dangote as Africa's richest man, with an estimated $8.8 billion net worth.

He is the founder of multi-billion dollar Dangote Group, which manufactures cement and various other products including sugar, salt and flour.

In April, he told a forum in Ivory Coast that he once withdrew $10 million in cash just to look at it and 'believe I have money'.

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