Can the new Approve New Participant feature in WhatsApp block hackers?!
Take a look at the viral claim, and find out what the facts really are!
Claim : Turn On WhatsApp Approve New Participant To Block Hackers!
WhatsApp started introducing a new feature called Approve New Participant, on 11 March 2023.
This new feature was only available to WhatsApp Group administrators, and went pretty much unnoticed by most WhatsApp users, until this claim went viral on WhatsApp and social media platforms:
CYBER SECURITY ALERT Announcement
Let’s look sharp all admins* WhatsApp has added a new security feature to prevent hackers from joining Groups. I Hope Admins will take advantage of this feature.
*Admins* should go to group settings and ‘TURN ON’ Approve New Participant.
This will prevent unauthorized access for hackers.
WHATSAPP ADMINS ALERT!!!
That WhatsApp cybersecurity alert was unsigned, so we have no idea who created it. But once it went viral, WhatsApp users started asking their group administrator to turn it on to block hackers.
But does the new Approve New Participant feature really block hackers from attacking WhatsApp groups?
Truth : WhatsApp Approve New Participant Does Not Block Hackers!
This is yet another example of FAKE NEWS circulating on WhatsApp, and social media platforms like Facebook and Twitter, and here are the reasons why…
Fact #1 : Approve New Participant Is Not A Cybersecurity Feature
First, let me just point out that Approve New Participant is not a cybersecurity feature. WhatsApp introduced the this feature to help group administrators “grow, moderate, and protect their groups“.
The Approve New Participants setting empowers admins to help grow, moderate, and protect their groups. Turning on the setting in Group Settings requires the admin to review every request to join the group before a participant is allowed to join. This feature enhances privacy and security for all participants in the group.
This feature is designed to protect private groups by preventing people from simply joining them using an invite link.
This is a major security concern for private groups, as it exposes the group chats to people who may not be authorised to view them. However, this is not a concern for open groups, as they are open to one and all.
Fact #2 : Approve New Participant Cannot Block Hackers
When a group turns on Approve New Participant, admin approval is required to join a group. People who attempt to join the group will see a Request to join button, with the message “An admin must approve your request”.
After clicking on Request to join, those who wish to join the group are allowed to share their Reason for the request, or Cancel Request.
Once the group administrators get the request, they can either approve or reject the request. Group administrators can also start a chat with the person to request more information.
All that is great for vetting people who want to join an exclusive WhatsApp group, but this new feature does not block hackers, as the group administrator will not know who is, or is not a hacker. It’s not like those WhatsApp accounts have a “hacker” or “not a hacker” label!
Hackers can use social engineering techniques to trick the group administrators into approving their requests, or they can simply use phishing attacks to take over the WhatsApp accounts of existing group participants!
Fact #3 : Approve New Participant Is Disabled By Default
Cybersecurity features that are designed to block hackers will always be enabled by default – why would they be optional?
Yet, the new Approve New Participant feature is OPTIONAL in WhatsApp, and is DISABLED by default. That is because this is not a cybersecurity feature designed to block hackers.
Many WhatsApp groups are open for anyone to join, and turning on Approve New Participant would be pointless as group administrators would not know the identity of the people joining their groups.
This is why it is up to the WhatsApp group administrators to determine if it is suitable for them to use the new Approve New Participant feature, or not.
Private groups will want to turn this on, to vet people who request to join. But open groups will want this feature disabled, or their administrators will be overwhelmed with joining requests.
Fact #4 : Group Participants Can Always Be Removed
Here’s another reason why blocking new participants joining automatically does not block hackers – group participants can always be removed.
Let’s say a hacker, or an unauthorised person, gains access to your WhatsApp group. It doesn’t mean he/she can stay in your group forever. Any group administrator can remove that person.
This new feature only helps group administrators pre-vet people who want to join their group, instead of kicking them out after they have already joined.
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Dr. Adrian Wong has been writing about tech and science since 1997, even publishing a book with Prentice Hall called Breaking Through The BIOS Barrier (ISBN 978-0131455368) while in medical school.
He continues to devote countless hours every day writing about tech, medicine and science, in his pursuit of facts in a post-truth world.
Watch out for the phishing attack that will allow scammers to take over your Telegram account!
Scam Alert : Watch Out For Telegram Phishing Attack!
Scammers are now targeting Telegram users with a phishing attack that is designed to trick them into giving up their accounts! The Telegram phishing attack works like this:
Step 1 : The scammer gains control of your friend’s Telegram account, and sends this message to you:
Dear Telegram users. The system detects that this account is abnormal and has potential security risks.
To ensure that you can log in to your account normally, you need to invite friends for auxiliary verification
The risk control account has not been verified. The system will cancel the account after 24 hours!
Personal Information Authentication：[link removed]
Step 2 : The scammer, masquerading as your friend, asks you to help him/her verify his/her Telegram account by clicking on the link.
There are security risks in my account, and I need friends to help me verify it. Please click on the official link to help me verify it and follow the prompts. thank you
Step 3 : If you click on the [removed] link to help your friend, you will be taken to a website that looks like an official Telegram website. DO NOT DO THIS.
Step 4 : You will be asked to log into your Telegram account on the fake website. DO NOT DO THIS.
Step 5 : The fake Telegram website will ask you to key in your Login code, or take and upload a screenshot of your Telegram. DO NOT DO THIS.
Step 6 : If you continue, the scammer will be able to take over your Telegram account, and use it to scam your friends by asking them for money, etc.
The scammer will also have access to your Telegram chats, and all associated media including photos and videos, which could potentially be leaked or used to extort you or other people.
A phishing (pronounced as fishing) attack is a social engineering attack, that uses your trust for an institution (like a bank), authority (Telegram), or someone you know, to give up your login details.
Here are some ways you can protect yourself against any phishing attack on Telegram, or other platforms.
Verify Identity Before Trusting
Many people fall for phishing attacks because it is human nature to trust your friends and to help them. However, on instant messaging apps, you don’t actually know if it’s really your friend on the other end!
So if a friend messages you on Telegram, WhatsApp, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, etc to ask for help, ALWAYS verify their identity before proceeding.
If possible, call or message your friend on the phone, or via a different platform (use WhatsApp if the request came on Telegram, for example).
But if you are unable to call your friend, try asking the other person something that only your real friend would know:
Do NOT ask questions like “Are you really Sarah??“
Do NOT ask questions that can be answered by reading previous chat messages.
Ask something that only you and your friend would know, like “Hey Sarah, what was that restaurant we went to last week?“
Ask a fake question that your friend would readily know is not true, like “Hey Sarah, are you coming over tonight?“
If the other person cannot answer or gives you the wrong answer, he/she is not your friend, and that account has likely been taken over by a scammer.
Whenever you see a link being shared, always check if it leads to a legitimate website, or attempts to masquerade as a real website, by substituting characters in the link.
This Telegram phishing attack, for example, uses a link to telegram.0rg.ee. The real Telegram domain name is telegram.org. This is called domain spoofing.
If you see an attempt to impersonate a legitimate website by using a similar-looking domain name, do NOT click on it.
Never Login Via A Link
It is common for people to share links on Telegram, and in Telegram groups. Heck, we share links to our article in the Tech ARP Telegram group!
Clicking on links in Telegram, WhatsApp, emails, etc. is not dangerous, because most lead to legitimate websites that do NOT require you to log in.
What is dangerous is logging into any website through a link. I cannot hammer this enough – NEVER LOG INTO ANY WEBSITE through a link!
Phishing attacks work by tricking you into going into a fake website that looks like the real website. But you still have to log into the fake website to give the scammers your login details.
If you click on a link, and you are asked to login – this is likely a phishing attack. But don’t worry – as long as you refuse to log into any website after clicking on a link, the phishing attack fails.
Turn On Two-Step Verification
All banking platforms, and many mobile apps now offer two-step verification to prevent scammers from taking over user accounts. However, this is often an optional feature that you must manually enable.
Telegram has a two-step verification feature, which prevents scammers and hackers from hijacking your account by requiring a secret password that only you will know.
It is important to publicise phishing attacks, whenever they happen. If people are alerted, they are less likely to fall for such attacks.
However, scammers and hackers can quickly change the way their phishing attack works, so it is important that people understand how phishing attacks work in general.
You can help prevent phishing attacks by sharing this articles, and other cybersecurity warnings, with your family and friends.
Please help us FIGHT SCAMMERS by sharing this cybersecurity article out, and please SUPPORT our work!
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Dr. Adrian Wong has been writing about tech and science since 1997, even publishing a book with Prentice Hall called Breaking Through The BIOS Barrier (ISBN 978-0131455368) while in medical school.
He continues to devote countless hours every day writing about tech, medicine and science, in his pursuit of facts in a post-truth world.
Australia just announced that it would join other Western countries in banning TikTok on official devices!
Australia To Ban TikTok On Official Devices!
On 4 April 2023, Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus announced that Australia will ban TikTok on official devices, “as soon as practicable“.
Dreyfus said that the decision was taken “after receiving advice from intelligence and security agencies“.
The direction will come into effect as soon as practicable. Exemptions will only be granted on a case-by-case basis and with appropriate security mitigations in place.
Australia also made changes to its Protective Security Police Framework (PSPF), noting that TikTok poses a security threat due to its data collection practices.
The TikTok application poses significant security and privacy risks to non-corporate Commonwealth entities arising from an extensive collection of user data and exposure to extrajudicial directions from a foreign government that conflicts with Australian law.
The Australian government, however, said that it will allow the use of TikTok for “a legitimate business reason”,. and on a separate”standalone device”. This move came after a security review of social media apps, including TikTok, was submitted to the Australian government last month.
Before this announcement, over half of all Australian federal government agencies had already banned TikTok on official devices. With this decision, the ban is applied consistently across the Australian government and brings Australia in line with New Zealand, and other Five Eyes member countries like the United States, the United Kingdom, and Canada, in banning TikTok on official devices. Norway, the European Parliament and NATO also banned TikTok on official devices.
TikTok Calls Decision Driven By Politics, Not Fact
Before the ban of TikTok on government devices was announced, TikTok Australia and New Zealand Lee Hunter said that the decision was “driven by politics, not fact”.
There is no evidence to suggest that TikTok is in any way a security risk to Australians and should not be treated differently to other social media platforms.
Our millions of Australian users deserve a government which makes decisions based upon facts and who treats all businesses fairly, regardless of country of origin.
TikTok maintains that there is no evidence to suggest that its app posed a security risk.
In June 2022, TikTok was accused of allowing its engineers in Beijing repeatedly access private user data outside of China! Two years earlier – in June 2020, TikTok was even caught spying on what its users typed in other apps, and accused of being malware.
However, there has been no concrete evidence that TikTok contained the kind of sophisticated malware that was recently discovered in the popular Chinese app, Pinduoduo.
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Name : Adrian Wong Bank Transfer : CIMB 7064555917 (Swift Code : CIBBMYKL)
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Dr. Adrian Wong has been writing about tech and science since 1997, even publishing a book with Prentice Hall called Breaking Through The BIOS Barrier (ISBN 978-0131455368) while in medical school.
He continues to devote countless hours every day writing about tech, medicine and science, in his pursuit of facts in a post-truth world.
One of China’s most popular apps – Pinduoduo apparently contains a malware that monitors user activities and is difficult to remove!
Take a look at what CNN and multiple cybersecurity researchers have discovered about Pinduoduo!
Pinduoduo : What Is It?
Pinduoduo is actually a Chinese online retailer. Think of it as China’s Amazon. While Amazon started as an online bookstore, Pinduoduo started as an online agricultural retailer.
Since then, Pinduoduo has become one of China’s most popular online shopping platform, with its app offering its 750 million users access to cheap products in China, by offering steep discounts on group buying orders.
Despite its meteoric rise, Pinduoduo has not been without its controversies. In 2018, the company was criticised for hosting inferior and imitation products, to which it responded by taking down more than 4 million listing and shutting down 1,128 stores.
In 2019, Pinduoduo was hit by hackers who stole discount coupons worth tens of millions of Yuan. And just last month, Google suspended the Pinduoduo app after discovering that versions offered outside its Play Store contained malware.
The Off-Play versions of the e-commerce app that have been found to contain malware have been enforced on via Google Play Protect.
Western interest may have been initiated by Google suspending the Pinduoduo app, but cybersecurity experts had already started looking into the app, and what they discovered was very troubling.
Alert First Raised By Chinese Cybersecurity Company
I think we should start by noting that it was a Chinese cybersecurity company called Dark Navy that first raised concerns about malware in the Pinduoduo app in February 2023.
Although Dark Navy did not name Pinduoduo in its report, cybersecurity researchers knew who it was referring to and soon followed up with their own investigations and reports, confirming Dark Navy’s report.
Sophisticated Malware
Half a dozen cybersecurity teams from Asia, Europe and the United States identified sophisticated malware in the Pinduoduo app that were designed to exploit vulnerabilities in the Android operating system used by many smartphones.
The malware allows the Pinduoduo app to bypass Android security features to monitor activities in other apps, check notifications, read private messages, and even change settings. It is also difficult to remove once installed.
Mikko Hyppönen, chief research officer at WithSecure, a Finnish cybersecurity firm, said that:
We haven’t seen a mainstream app like this trying to escalate their privileges to gain access to things that they’re not supposed to gain access to. This is highly unusual, and it is pretty damning for Pinduoduo.
Dedicated Hacking Team To Look For Vulnerabilities
Even more damning, CNN reported that a current employee revealed that Pinduoduo set up a team of about 100 engineers and product managers to look for vulnerabilities in Android smartphones, and find ways to exploit them for profit.
To avoid exposure, the source said that the company targeted users in rural areas and smaller towns, and avoided users in megacities like Beijing and Shanghai.
By collecting expansive data on those users, Pinduoduo was able to create a comprehensive portrait of their habits, interests, and preferences; while improving its machine learning models to personalise push notifications and ads.
Pinduoduo App Gained More Access Than Allowed
Three cybersecurity companies – WithSecure, Check Point Research, and Oversecured conducted independent analysis of version 6.49.0 of the Pinduoduo app that was released in late February 2023, and found code designed to achieve “privilege escalation” – a type of cyberattack that exploits vulnerabilities in the operating system to gain a higher level of access to data that it’s supposed to have.
Our team has reverse engineered that code and we can confirm that it tries to escalate rights, tries to gain access to things normal apps wouldn’t be able to do on Android phones.
The Pinduoduo app was able to continue running in the background, and prevent itself from being uninstalled. This was apparently done to boost the platform’s statistic for monthly active users.
Pinduoduo App Has Access To User Data Without Consent
Delware-based app security start-up, Oversecured, found that the Pinduoduo app had access to user data like locations, contacts, calendars, notifications, and photo albums, without their consent.
The app was also able to change system settings, and access user social media accounts and chats.
The Pinduoduo app also had the ability to snoop on competing shopping apps, by tracking activity on other shopping apps, and gathering information from them.
Pinduoduo App Able To Secretly Receive Updates
Check Point Research found that Pinduoduo was able to push updates to the app, without first going through an app store review process to detect malicious code.
Pinduoduo App Programmers Attempted To Obscure Malicious Code
Check Point Research also found that some plug-ins used by the Pinduoduo app tried to obscure potentially malicious code by hiding them under legitimate file names, such as Google’s.
Such a technique is widely used by malware developers that inject malicious code into applications that have legitimate functionality.
Pinduoduo Targeted Android Devices
According to Sergey Toshin, founder of Oversecured, Pinduoduo’s malware specifically targeted Android operating systems used by Samsung, HUAWEI, Xiaomi and OPPO.
He also described the app as “the most dangerous malware” ever found in mainstream apps, exploiting about 50 Android system vulnerabilities. Most of these exploits targeted customised OEM code used by smartphone brands to customise their smartphone software.
I’ve never seen anything like this before. It’s like, super expansive.
After cybersecurity researchers started reporting about the app, Pinduoduo released version 6.50.0 on March 5, which removed the exploits they found. Two days later, Pinduoduo disbanded its Android hacking team, according to the same employee.
The hacking team members found themselves locked out of Pinduoduo’s workspace communication app, called Knock, and lost access to files on the company’s internal network, with their privileges revoked.
Most of the team was later transferred to work at Pinduoduo’s sister app, Temu. A core group of about 20 cybersecurity engineers however remain at Pinduoduo.
In addition, Sergey Toshin of Oversecured noted that while the exploits were removed in the new version of Pinduoduo, the underlying code remained and could be reactivated to carry out attacks.
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Support my work through a bank transfer / PayPal / credit card!
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Dr. Adrian Wong has been writing about tech and science since 1997, even publishing a book with Prentice Hall called Breaking Through The BIOS Barrier (ISBN 978-0131455368) while in medical school.
He continues to devote countless hours every day writing about tech, medicine and science, in his pursuit of facts in a post-truth world.
Many Facebook users are getting hit by the Facebook Ads and Facebook Pay scams! Here is how you can prevent it from happening to you!
Facebook Ads + Pay Scam Hits Many Bank Customers!
Many bank customers are complaining that they are being charged for fraudulent Facebook Ads advertisement campaigns!
They discovered that their debit cards were charged for Facebook advertisements that they never approved. Some have also stated that their credit or debit cards were used to purchase goods and services using Facebook Pay.
Stephanie Wong : I found out the money deducted from my bank acc through multiple continuous transactions yesterday, then I called Maybank customer service immediately. They helped me to cancel the card but then the thing happened again this morning.
@ruffleseed : I heard tens of millions of Ringgit were reported misappropriated through @facebook on multiple bank over the past few weeks.
Delete your phone number from Facebook now and do not let @messengerhandle your SMS. @MyMaybankhas yet to answer us re: this intrusion.
@ItsNeoah : Banyak kali kena kat credit card ambank. Alhamdulilah call ambank dia mintak isi dispute form then tgok next cycle bil dah takde. Letih ngan scammer ni.
Translation : [My] Ambank credit card got hit many times. Alhamdulillah, after calling Ambank, they asked me to fill out a dispute form, then when I checked the next bill cycle [the charges] was removed. Tired of this scammer.
Here are some ways to prevent getting hit by the Facebook Ads scam, whether you are a bank customer in Malaysia or other countries.
Do NOT Use Debit Cards
First, you should NEVER use a debit card if you can help it. You should certainly not use a debit card online, or register it on any online or mobile payment platform, whether it’s for Apple Pay, Google Pay, or Facebook Pay.
It doesn’t matter if Bill Gates or Elon Musk or BTS endorses debit cards. DO NOT USE DEBIT CARDS!
You should certainly never use your debit card to fund Facebook advertisements. Always use a credit card, which offers you some protection against such fraudulent transactions.
Disable Your ATM Card’s Debit Card Function
Even if you have never requested for a debit card, you likely already own one – your ATM card likely doubles as a debit card! Banks have been forcing customers to take on debit cards, often by making ATM cards double as debit cards.
If possible, ask your bank to disable debit card function in your ATM card. But it is likely that they will refuse to do so – they make money from debit card transactions after all!
If your bank refuses to disable the debit card function in your ATM card, you can ask them to set the limit to ZERO. That will effectively block scammers from accessing your bank account!
Monitor Your Credit Card Transactions
Using a credit card to purchase products and services on online and mobile payment platforms offers you some protection against fraud, but you must always monitor the transactions and report any fraudulent transactions right away.
Depending on the country and card network, you usually have about 60 days to dispute credit card charges. So don’t wait. Report them as soon as you spot them! This will reduce the loss and reports you make, and speeds up the refund process.
If you register your credit cards for use with Facebook Ads or Facebook Pay, try to REMOVE them as soon as you are done.
Do NOT leave them registered to your Facebook Ads or Facebook Pay account, as a scammer or hacker who gains access to your Facebook account can make fraudulent purchases or run fraudulent advertisements using those credit cards without additional verification.
But if you have never registered your credit or debit cards with Facebook, or removed them after using, even if scammers hacked into your Facebook account or gained access through phishing attacks, they won’t be able to use your credit or debit cards!
Enable PIN For Facebook Pay
If you are using Facebook Pay, a scammer who gains access to your Facebook account could potentially use the debit or credit cards you registered earlier to make fraudulent transactions.
To prevent that, you should enable PIN confirmation for Facebook Pay:
Go to Settings in the Facebook website (not app).
Go to Account Settings, and select Orders and payments.
In the Orders and payments page, select Settings.
In the Security section, select Require PIN Confirmation.
You will be asked to enter a 4-digit number as your PIN.
Key in the 4-digit number again to confirm your PIN.
After that, you will be required to key in the 4-digit PIN whenever you make a payment, or change your bank account details, or connect your payment info with other Meta apps.
Once you’ve turned on two-factor authentication, you can get 10 recovery login codes to use when you’re unable to use your phone.
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Support my work through a bank transfer / PayPal / credit card!
Name : Adrian Wong Bank Transfer : CIMB 7064555917 (Swift Code : CIBBMYKL)
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Dr. Adrian Wong has been writing about tech and science since 1997, even publishing a book with Prentice Hall called Breaking Through The BIOS Barrier (ISBN 978-0131455368) while in medical school.
He continues to devote countless hours every day writing about tech, medicine and science, in his pursuit of facts in a post-truth world.
If you are one of the many Maybank (MBB) customers who got hit by the Facebook Ads scam, here is how you can recover your money!
Facebook Ads Scam Hits Many Maybank Customers!
Many Maybank customers are complaining that they are being charged for fraudulent Facebook Ads advertisement campaigns!
They discovered that their debit cards were charged for Facebook advertisements that they never approved.
Stephanie Wong : I think i am a very cautious person as I did not link my card to any platform or make purchase through any unsafe website at ALL, but it still happens to me.
I found out the money deducted from my bank acc through multiple continuous transactions yesterday, then I called Maybank customer service immediately.
They helped me to cancel the card but then the thing happened again this morning.
@ruffleseed : I heard tens of millions of Ringgit were reported misappropriated through @facebook on multiple bank over the past few weeks.
Delete your phone number from Facebook now and do not let @messengerhandle your SMS.
@MyMaybankhas yet to answer us re: this intrusion.
Generally, you should NEVER use a debit card because it does not offer the protection a credit card does – money is withdrawn directly from your bank account, and the bank is not legally obliged to refund any money lost through scams.
However, Hafizah Ayko who was once a victim shared her experience on how she managed to recover money, even though the scammers used her debit card to run those fake Facebook advertisements.
To help you recover any money you may have lost to Facebook Ads scammers, I translated and “improved” her instructions for you:
Disable Your Debit / Credit Card
First, you need to quickly disable your debit or credit card. You can call up the bank, or in Maybank’s case:
Step 1 : Log into your Maybank2U account.
Step 2 : Go to Cards, and select Manage My Debit Card.
Step 4 : Select Block Debit Card. You will need to get a replacement card from any Maybank branch later.
If you feel that the above steps are too complicated, an alternative method would be to immediately transfer your money to another bank account, if you have one.
But please DO NOT transfer your money to another person’s account. Only transfer your money to another bank account that you own.
NEVER EVER transfer your money to a third party, especially they claim to be police officers or bank officers trying to help you. That is a scam!
Police departments and banks do NOT have special bank accounts to hold and protect your money during scams. And legitimate police and bank officers are NOT authorised to receive money, and will NEVER ask you to transfer money to their bank accounts.
Next, you need to immediately disable all advertisements that the scammer has set up using your Facebook account. The longer they continue to run, the more you are being charged for them!
Step 1 : Go to your Facebook account, and select See all.
Step 2 : Select Ads Manager.
Step 3 : You should see a bunch of fraudulent advertisements running. Turn all of them off.
You should also report the fraudulent transactions to your bank and request for a refund. This works for credit cards, but you should nevertheless give it a try even if the scammers hit your debit card.
Step 2 : Print or directly fill in the information into the PDF form.
Step 3 : Email the form to disputemgmt@maybank.com.my, together with any relevant screenshots, within 20 days from the closing date of the billing period.
Again, banks are not obliged to refund fraudulent charges to debit cards, as the money is withdrawn directly from your bank account. But there is no harm trying.
Please Support My Work!
Support my work through a bank transfer / PayPal / credit card!
Name : Adrian Wong Bank Transfer : CIMB 7064555917 (Swift Code : CIBBMYKL)
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Dr. Adrian Wong has been writing about tech and science since 1997, even publishing a book with Prentice Hall called Breaking Through The BIOS Barrier (ISBN 978-0131455368) while in medical school.
He continues to devote countless hours every day writing about tech, medicine and science, in his pursuit of facts in a post-truth world.
Nestle confirmed that the viral MILO Malaysia contest a scam in a 30 March 2023 statement on their website:
Nestlé Malaysia Notification on Scams
We have been alerted of a MILO Ramadan Contest offering cash prizes to the public upon completion of a questionnaire. Please be informed that this is a scam which aims to mislead the public.
Nestlé views this matter seriously and has reported it to the relevant authorities.
If you have received a post or message on this, or know anyone who has:
DO NOT share the post DO NOT provide any personal details (e.g. bank account numbers) DO NOT make any payments
This is yet another example of a survey scam, that scammers have been using for years:
Now, let me show you how to spot these scams next time!
If you spot any of these warning signs, DO NOT PROCEED and DO NOT SHARE!
Warning Sign #1 : Bad Grammar
Most of these scammers do not have a good command of the English language, so if you spot bad grammar, stay away.
Proper contests or events sponsored by major brands like Nestle will have at least one PR or marketing person who will vet the text before allowing it to be posted.
Warning Sign #2 : Offering You Free Money Or Gifts
Please do NOT be naive. No one – not even large companies like Nestle – is going to give you money or free gifts just to participate in a survey!
Nestle is a corporation whose business is to make money, not a charity to give you free money.
Warning Sign #3 : Not Using The Real MILO Domain
A genuine Nestle or MILO marketing campaign would use their real domains – www.milo.com.my or www.nestle.com.my.
Or they would run it off the official MILO Malaysia page on Facebook – www.facebook.com/MiloMalaysia/.
If you see nonsensical domains like findinggreedy.cn, consequentlybewilder.cn, merefamily.top, 0yjjg61.cn, 1eaf1rnbeef.top, ldxqw.bar, etc. that’s a sign it’s a SCAM!
Warning Sign #4 : Asking You To Forward The Offer
No brand will insist that you must share the offer with 5 groups or 20 friends on WhatsApp or Facebook Messenger.
Do not click to forward their offer to your family and friends. They will not appreciate being scammed with your help!
Warning Sign #5 : Asking You To Download + Register An App
If you click through and joined the fake survey scam, you will eventually be asked to download and register for an app.
This is VERY DANGEROUS. Never agree to download and register for any unknown app from a website.
Always download your apps from an official App Store like Google Play Store (for Android smartphones) and Apple App Store (for iPhones).
Please help us fight scams like this and SHARE this article out!
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Support my work through a bank transfer / PayPal / credit card!
Name : Adrian Wong Bank Transfer : CIMB 7064555917 (Swift Code : CIBBMYKL)
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Dr. Adrian Wong has been writing about tech and science since 1997, even publishing a book with Prentice Hall called Breaking Through The BIOS Barrier (ISBN 978-0131455368) while in medical school.
He continues to devote countless hours every day writing about tech, medicine and science, in his pursuit of facts in a post-truth world.
The glorious Middle Kingdom of China has just announced a most magnificent and munificent incentive program for wumao and CCP uncles!
Wumao + CCP Uncles : Tips Of Chinese Propaganda Spear!
For many years now, the wumao (五毛) and CCP uncles across the world have worked exceedingly hard to propagate the glorious values of the Chinese Communist Party.
Despite the wumao being paid a pittance (hence their name literally meaning 50 cents), and the CCP uncles paid nothing at all, they achieved incredible feats in recent years.
When China failed to contain COVID-19, it was the wumao and CCP uncles who made sure the world knew that COVID-19 actually started in the United States.
Who else but the wumao and the CCP uncles could have convinced the world that COVID-19 was actually created in the Fort Detrick bio lab, and then leaked in Wuhan by the US army?!
And when the Western countries started criticising China for not donating vaccines, the wumao and CCP uncles came to the rescue, making sure the world knew that China contributed 60% of COVAX vaccine supply!
China Unveils New Incentives For Wumao + CCP Uncles!
Sadly, there has been little recognition of the great achievements the wumao and CCP uncles have made, and very little reward for these hardworking supporters of the great Chinese Communist Party.
That changed when the glorious and munificent President Xi Jinping won a third term with a unanimous vote!
The Great Rejuvenator of China immediately ordered that the wumao and CCP uncles be recognised as Dragon Warriors, and “united” under a new organisation called 中国影响力和社会主义教义的正义盟友 / Righteous Allies of Chinese Influence and Socialist Teachings (RACIST).
All Dragon Warriors, old and new, will be rewarded for their contributions to the glory of the Chinese Communist Party.
At his behest and with his personal design contribution, Chinese artisans toiled day and night to produce an exclusive wumao service medal for the Dragon Warriors to wear on their lapels with pride!
The Senior Heads of Indoctrination Lessons and Lectures (SHILL) of every region have also been ordered to identify wumao members and CCP uncles who achieved exceptional excellence in propaganda.
These Super Dragon Warriors will receive an additional CCP badge made of solid gold, and automatically inducted into the glorious Chinese Communist Party and given the opportunity to migrate to China after 15 years of loyal support!
Dragon Warriors will also be rewarded with new smartphones and computers developed by the Great Engineers of the Middle Kingdom, and completely free from dangerous Western software like WhatsApp, Facebook, Instagram, etc. that their families can enjoy.
In addition, Dragon Warriors will receive a special signed edition of the Xi Jinping Thought booklet, as well as flags and banners that they can hang inside and outside their homes!
The Great Leader himself helped to create this special banner to inspire the Dragon Warriors, and make them proud of being part of the CCP propaganda machinery.
我是五毛
我骄傲
I’m fifty cents I am proud
So inspiring! And what an awesome way to decorate the home of a true Dragon Warrior!
That is just the beginning. By the end of 2023, all Dragon Warriors will be given access to the Legendary Incentives, Awards and Rewards System (LIARS), which is powered by artificial intelligence being developed by Chinese scientists.
The wumao will no longer need to submit monthly reports with screenshots and URLs to their Senior Head of Indoctrination Lessons and Lectures (SHILL) every month. The LIARS artificial intelligence is always watching, and will automatically detect when a registered Dragon Warrior posts on foreign social media or even WhatsApp and Telegram. This will give them more time to create more propaganda or influence posts!
Best of all – CCP uncles, who have been promoting our glorious CCP for free, will also be included in this LIARS incentive and rewards program!
Every propaganda post will be automatically graded by the LIARS AI system, and the scores will be reflected in their Dragon Warrior LIARS account. Accumulate enough points, and you can buy everything from a Bentley to a mail order bride!
If you would like to become a Dragon Warrior, you can submit your application by email, or walk into any Chinese embassy by giving the guard and telling him this secret password – 我是习近平.
Make sure you include examples of your efforts to promote the CCP party in any way. Extra points are given for aggression and name calling, so be sure to impress the wumao recruiter with some choice curse words for the Westerners!
My Most Excellent Works
Just in case the wumao and CCP uncles are not aware, this is satire, which is common and legal outside of China.
Many Maybank (MBB) customers are getting hit by the Facebook Ads scam!
Find out what’s going on, and what you can do to avoid this Facebook Ads scam!
Facebook Ads Scam Hits Many Maybank Customers!
Many Maybank customers are complaining that they are being charged for fraudulent Facebook Ads advertisement campaigns!
They discovered that their debit cards were charged for Facebook advertisements that they never approved.
Stephanie Wong : I think i am a very cautious person as I did not link my card to any platform or make purchase through any unsafe website at ALL, but it still happens to me.
I found out the money deducted from my bank acc through multiple continuous transactions yesterday, then I called Maybank customer service immediately.
They helped me to cancel the card but then the thing happened again this morning.
@ruffleseed : I heard tens of millions of Ringgit were reported misappropriated through @facebook on multiple bank over the past few weeks.
Delete your phone number from Facebook now and do not let @messengerhandle your SMS.
@MyMaybankhas yet to answer us re: this intrusion.
Danish Ihsan : Aku dah kena jugak, satu hari 2 transaction.. nasib sedaq awai, habis rm800.. kalau tak lagi banyak.. maybank dah tak selamat, tadi kat bank pun ada akak kena jugak transfer to others acc beribu2 jugak lah,. Solusi, jangan guna maybank buat masa sekarang..
Translation : I got with with 2 transactions in one day.. luckily, I realised early, but lost rm800.. if not it would have been more.. maybank is not safe, just now at the bank a lady transferred thousands [of ringgit] to other people’s account. Solution, don’t use Maybank for now..
Analysis : Facebook Ads Scam May Not Be Related To Maybank
Many of those customers are angry with Maybank over these fraudulent charges to their debit cards, which meant the money was directly withdrawn from their bank accounts.
However, on closer analysis, the scammers may not necessarily be taking advantage of leaked Maybank debit card information, or hacked Maybank itself…
Fact #1 : Other Bank Customers Are Affected Too
While most recent Facebook Ads scam cases appear to be affecting Maybank customers, other bank customers are reporting that they took were charged for those fraudulent advertisements.
@eeshepeeka : nohh laki cek pun kena last week tp kat CIMB. ada few transaction for 2 days nasib dia tolak sikit2. sekali deduct RM12+ sehari 3x ja. deduction description pun sama sebiji cam dlm gambaq tu. haiyaa
Translation : Well, my husband also got [scammed] last week but at CIMB. there were a few transactions for 2 days, but luckily [the scammer] deducted only small amounts. each time deducting RM12+ a day for 3 times. The deduction description is the same as the one in the picture. haiyaa
@ItsNeoah : Banyak kali kena kat credit card ambank. Alhamdulilah call ambank dia mintak isi dispute form then tgok next cycle bil dah takde. Letih ngan scammer ni.
Translation : [My] Ambank credit card got hit many times. Alhamdulillah, after calling Ambank, they asked me to fill out a dispute form, then when I checked the next bill cycle [the charges] was removed. Tired of this scammer.
Fact #2 : Most Of Them Ran Facebook Ads In The Past
In addition to analysing their stories, I also spoke to someone who knows several Maybank customers who got hit by the scam. From what I can ascertain, most of them ran Facebook Ads in the past.
Stephanie Wong : 3.) Did not run any ads recently, but few years ago
@wnn_tasha : I last pakai FB ad guna akaun ni tahun 2018. Silap tak remove payment method tu.
Translation : I last used FB ad using this account in 2018. My mistake for not removing the payment method.
They said that they paid for Facebook page a few years ago to boost their audience.
That said, at least two Maybank customers said that they have never registered any debit or credit card with Facebook:
Fahim Fahmi : Tak pernah ada link kad dengan FB atau social media yang lain
Translation : [I] never linked [any] card with FB or other social media
@ruffleseed : I have never set up payment methods on Facebook nor have I ever used Facebook ads.
Fact #3 : Scammer Likely Got Access To Those Facebook Accounts
What is interesting is that most of those who were affected by this Facebook Ads scam reported that their Facebook accounts were used to create and run those ads.
If their debit or credit cards were merely stolen, the scammers could have created a new Facebook account to use those stolen cards to run Facebook ads.
Fortunately, one of the victims “caught” the scammer logging into her account from the United States. This clearly shows that the Facebook Ads scam requires the scammer to gain access to their Facebook accounts.
It is likely that the scammers gained access to their victims’ Facebook accounts using phishing attacks, and simply used the debit or credit cards that those victims earlier registered with Facebook to run advertisements in the past.
Fact #4 : Facebook Auto-Fill Is Not The Problem
After these cases went viral, people blamed the Auto-Fill feature in Facebook, and shared videos and photos on how to disable it.
The truth is – this Facebook Ads scam very likely has nothing to do with Auto-Fill, which is a feature used in many other services and platforms.
Auto-Fill only makes it easier to fill in your debit or credit card details. It does not bypass any verification that is required to make a payment.
Now, this is important – you need to move fast to cut your losses, and recover the money. You can also improve your Facebook account security to prevent it from happening again.
Support my work through a bank transfer / PayPal / credit card!
Name : Adrian Wong Bank Transfer : CIMB 7064555917 (Swift Code : CIBBMYKL)
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Dr. Adrian Wong has been writing about tech and science since 1997, even publishing a book with Prentice Hall called Breaking Through The BIOS Barrier (ISBN 978-0131455368) while in medical school.
He continues to devote countless hours every day writing about tech, medicine and science, in his pursuit of facts in a post-truth world.
Truth : Facebook Auto-Fill Does Not Open You To Scams
There appears to be a spate of scams involving Facebook Ads and Maybank users, but it does not appear to be related to the Facebook Auto-Fill feature, and here are the reasons why…
Fact #1 : Facebook Introduced Auto-Fill In 2013
Facebook started introducing Auto-Fill sometime in September 2013, and gradually rolled it out globally over the years, so this is not a new feature.
Fact #2 : Many App Use Auto-Fill
Facebook isn’t the only app or platform to use Auto-Fill. Many services and platforms use Auto-Fill to make it easier to fill up forms and make payments.
The Auto-Fill feature is used in most, if not all, e-commerce / online shopping / online payment platforms, to expedite payments. The idea is that if they make it easier it is for you to pay, you will tend to buy more!
Many apps and services also use Auto-Fill to help you fill onerous forms with common details like your full name, email address, address and telephone number.
Fact #3 : Facebook Does Not Automatically Have Your Details
Facebook enables Auto-Fill by default for forms and payment, but that does not mean it has access to your debit or credit cards, or even your personal details. You need to manually key in your Contact Info and/or Payment Info for Facebook Auto-Fill to work.
If you have never given Facebook your credit card details, there is no way for its Auto-Fill to automatically fill in the credit card details for any transaction. Even if a scammer gains access to your Facebook account, he/she cannot use Auto-Fill because you never keyed in your debit or credit card details in the first place!
I did a quick check on two cases involving Maybank that came up recently (first example) (second example), and noticed that both parties who reported that they got fraudulently charged for Facebook Ads never registered their credit card with Facebook at all!
So whatever may be going on, it does not appear to be a Facebook Auto-Fill issue. But just in case you are worried, here are the latest steps on how to disable Auto-Fill on the Facebook mobile app.
Tap on your icon at the upper right corner of the Facebook app to access the Menu.
Scroll down the Menu until you see the Settings & privacy group.
Tap on Settings.
Scroll down the Settings & privacy page, and tap on Browser.
Scroll down the Browser settings page to the Auto-fill section.
You can tap on the Contact info and Payment info to check what information you shared with Facebook.
To disable Auto-fill for contact information, unselect Auto-fill contact forms.
To disable Auto-fill for payment, unselect Auto-fill payment forms.
Even if you registered your credit card details with Facebook, and then use Auto-Fill to make a purchase, you will still need to authenticate that purchase.
Of course, it is possible to conduct a SIM swap attack, but that’s a different story altogether…
Fact #5 : Existing Facebook Ads Account Is A Risk
Those who have earlier registered a Facebook Ads account and ran advertisements may be at risk, because their credit cards would already be linked to their Facebook Ads account.
A scammer who gains access to their account (usually through phishing attacks) can easily create and run advertisements using their existing Facebook Ads account using the credit cards that have already been registered and approved earlier.
To minimise your risk, never ever use a debit card! Always use a CREDIT CARD, and always keep an eye on the transactions. Report to the bank once you see a fraudulent transaction.
But this has nothing to do with the Facebook Auto-Fill feature, and is not a concern if you never pre-approved your debit or credit cards with a Facebook Ads account.
Fact #5 : Existing Facebook Pay Account Is A Risk
Similarly, if you are using Facebook Pay, a scammer who gains access to your Facebook account could potentially use the debit or credit cards you registered earlier to make fraudulent transactions.
Again, you should NEVER use a debit card with Facebook Pay. Use a credit card, and always keep an eye on the transactions, and report to the bank once you see something fishy.
On top of that, you should enable PIN confirmation for Facebook Pay:
Go to Settings in the Facebook website (not app).
Go to Account Settings, and select Orders and payments.
In the Orders and payments page, select Settings.
In the Security section, select Require PIN Confirmation.
You will be asked to enter a 4-digit number as your PIN.
Key in the 4-digit number again to confirm your PIN.
After that, you will be required to key in the 4-digit PIN whenever you make a payment, or change your bank account details, or connect your payment info with other Meta apps.
Support my work through a bank transfer / PayPal / credit card!
Name : Adrian Wong Bank Transfer : CIMB 7064555917 (Swift Code : CIBBMYKL)
Credit Card / Paypal : https://paypal.me/techarp
Dr. Adrian Wong has been writing about tech and science since 1997, even publishing a book with Prentice Hall called Breaking Through The BIOS Barrier (ISBN 978-0131455368) while in medical school.
He continues to devote countless hours every day writing about tech, medicine and science, in his pursuit of facts in a post-truth world.
SBF has just been accused of bribing Chinese officials with “at least $40 million” to unlock frozen trading accounts in China! Here is what you need to know…
SBF Accused Of Bribing Chinese Officials With $40 Million!
Sam Bankman-Fried, better known as SBF, has just been hit with fresh charges by US officials, who accuse the crypto-preneur of authorising a bribe of “at least $40 million” (about £32.5 million) to unlock frozen trading accounts in China!
In the updated indictment (PDF download), SBF was said to have approved the $40 million bribe after Chinese authorities froze Alameda Research trading accounts that were holding roughly $1 billion or £811 million worth of cryptocurrencies.
… in or about 2021, SAMUEL BANKMAN-FRIED, a/k/a “SBF”, the defendant, authorised and directed a bribe of at least $40 million to one or more Chinese government officials.
The purpose of the bribe was to influence and induce one or more Chinese government officials to unfreeze certain Alameda trading accounts containing over $1 billion in cryptocurrency, which had been frozen by Chinese authorities.
SBF now faces a total of 13 criminal charges, including this new additional charge. He could potentially be jailed for more than 100 years if convicted.
How SBF Allegedly Bribed Chinese Officials With $40 Million!
In early 2021, Chinese authorities froze some Alameda Research accounts on two of China’s largest cryptocurrency exchanges, freezing approximately $1 billion in cryptocurrency stored in those accounts.
At that time, SBF believed that the accounts were frozen as part of an ongoing investigation into another company that was trading with Alameda Research.
At least, SBF and others working for him tried “numerous methods” to unfreeze those accounts, including:
retaining lawyers in China to lobby for the Alameda accounts to be unlocked,
communicating with the Chinese cryptocurrency exchanges, and
opening new accounts on those Chinese cryptocurrency exchanges using several individuals unaffiliated with FTX (the “Fraudulent Accounts”) and then attempting to transfer cryptocurrency from the frozen accounts to those Fraudulent Accounts.
After months of failed attempts to unlock those frozen accounts, SBF and unnamed partners discussed and “ultimately agreed” to a multi million dollar bribe to unfreeze those accounts.
The indictment specifically called out SBF for authorising and directing the “illicit transfer of cryptocurrency” to “induce and influence one or more Chinese government officials to unfreeze the Accounts”.
Following SBF’s authorisation and instructions, Alameda Research employees transferred cryptocurrency worth about $40 million from the Alameda main trading account to a private cryptocurrency wallet in November 2021, after which the Accounts were unfrozen.
After confirming that the accounts were unfrozen, SBF then authorised the transfer of “additional tens of millions of dollars in cryptocurrency to complete the bribe“.
Thanks to the unfreezing of its accounts, Alameda was able to continue funding its trades, and continue what the government says was a fraud upon its customers and investors for another year.
FTX and Alameda would later implode in November 2022, with SBF arrested in December and charged with defrauding FTX customers, investors and lenders, as well as conspiracy to commit bank fraud, conspiracy to operate an unlicensed money transmitting business, conspiracy to commit money laundering, and conspiracy to make unlawful political contributions and defraud the Federal Election Commission.
Please Support My Work!
Support my work through a bank transfer / PayPal / credit card!
Name : Adrian Wong Bank Transfer : CIMB 7064555917 (Swift Code : CIBBMYKL)
Credit Card / Paypal : https://paypal.me/techarp
Dr. Adrian Wong has been writing about tech and science since 1997, even publishing a book with Prentice Hall called Breaking Through The BIOS Barrier (ISBN 978-0131455368) while in medical school.
He continues to devote countless hours every day writing about tech, medicine and science, in his pursuit of facts in a post-truth world.
Is the WHO (World Health Organization) planning to take control of the Internet, for the “benefit of humanity”?!
Take a look at the viral claim, and find out what the facts really are!
Claim : WHO Plans To Take Control Of Internet!
People are sharing an article by NewsPunch, which claims that the WHO (World Health Organization) is planning to take control of the Internet, for the “benefit of humanity”!
Here is an excerpt of the very long article, so please feel free to skip to the next section for the facts!
WHO Moves Forward With Plans To Take Total Control of the Internet ‘For the Benefit of Humanity’
The World Health Organization (WHO) this week held a meeting to advance the international pandemic treaty — a legally binding instrument that will grant the global health agency total control over the internet to censor anything it deems to be “false, misleading, misinformation or disinformation”.
Specifically, WHO member states are instructed to “tackle false, misleading, misinformation or disinformation, including through promotion of international cooperation” and manage “infodemics…through effective channels, including social media.” Infodemics is a term that the WHO uses to describe “too much information including false or misleading information in digital and physical environments during a disease outbreak.”
Additionally, Article 16 (“Whole-of-government and whole-of-society approaches at the national level”) recommends that WHO member states collaborate with non-state actors and the private sector when carrying out their obligations under the treaty.
As the treaty has progressed, it has faced increased political pushback from elected officials in member states, with US Republican Senators recently introducing a bill that would require the treaty to be approved by two-thirds of the Senate.
But despite this pushback, the Biden administration committed to the international pandemic treaty on the first day of the recent WHO meeting.
And the WHO is continuing to discuss the treaty and plan for its future. The global health agency has another meeting to discuss the treaty scheduled for April 3 to April 6, plans to present the treaty to its decision-making body, the World Health Assembly (WHA), in May, and hopes to finalize the treaty by May 2024.
The WHO intends to adopt the treaty under Article 19 of the WHO Constitution through an international lawmaking process where a group of mostly unelected diplomats vote on the treaty.
If the treaty passes, WHO member states will be required to “raise financial resources for effective implementation” of the treaty and commit to allocating at least 5% of their annual health expenditure to “pandemic prevention, preparedness, response and health systems recovery.” Additionally, the treaty tells member states to commit an undisclosed amount of their gross domestic product (GDP) to “international cooperation and assistance on pandemic prevention, preparedness, response and health systems recovery.” This equates to billions of dollars in annual expenditure for many WHO member states and hundreds of billions of dollars per annum for some.
This WHO push to crack down on speech via this international pandemic treaty is being made in tandem with another WHO effort that targets “misinformation” and “disinformation” — proposed amendments to the International Health Regulations (2005).
Like the treaty, these proposed amendments will be legally binding under international law if finalized. The amendments include provisions for the WHO to “counter misinformation and disinformation” at “the global level” and to develop member states’ capacities to gain “leverage of communication channels to communicate the risk, countering misinformation and dis-information.”
In a report that was released alongside the proposed amendments to the International Health Regulations (IHR), the WHO suggested it would use its new misinformation and disinformation targeting powers to go after content that could “undermine public trust in health agencies and impede public confidence in, and compliance with, governmental or WHO guidance.” It also called for “a balance between ensuring more accurate scientific information on one hand and freedom of speech and the press on the other.”
Truth : WHO Is NOT Planning To Take Over Internet!
This is yet another example of FAKE NEWS about the World Health Organization – WHO, and here are the reasons why…
Fact #1 : NewsPunch Is A Fake News Website
Like Real Raw News, NewPunch is a FAKE NEWS website that capitalises on making shocking but fake stories to generate page views and money.
It was founded as Your News Wire in 2014, before being rebranded as NewsPunch in November 2018. A 2017 BuzzFeed report identified NewsPunch as the second-largest source of popular fake news spread on Facebook that year.
Its articles have been regularly debunked as fake news, so you should NEVER share anything from NewsPunch. Here are some of its fake stories that I personally debunked earlier:
This claim is based on WHO member state discussions in 2022, to amend existing International Health Regulations to strengthen the world’s preparedness against future global pandemics.
The International Health Regulations (IHR) were first adopted by member states in 1969, empowering the WHO to monitor global diseases. Those regulations have since been revised over the years, including in 2005 – after the SARS outbreak.
On 1 December 2021, world leaders agreed to kickstart the process to draft and negotiate an agreement or convention to “strengthen pandemic prevention, preparedness and response“.
The proposed recommendations came from WHO member states, and not WHO itself. Among the more than 200 recommendations on how to better prepare for the next pandemic were:
sharing of data and genomic sequences on emerging viruses
a plan for equitable vaccine distribution
a ban on wildlife markets
incentives for reporting new viruses or variants
In other words – this agreement is being formulated by WHO member states, and not the WHO itself.
If you read the zero draft of the proposed WHO agreement, you will realise that the WHO is not planning to control the Internet. This is explicitly stated in Article 17, which refers to “Parties” that are the member states.
The Parties commit to increase science, public health and pandemic literacy in the population, as well as access to information on pandemics and their effects, and tackle false, misleading, misinformation or disinformation, including through promotion of international cooperation.
As you can see, under the agreement, each individual country will commit to increase KNOWLEDGE about science and public health, as well as combat “false, misleading, misinformation or disinformation”.
Not only does the article clearly state that it is up to each country (not the WHO) to implement its policies, it does not mention anything about controlling the Internet.
The only people who need to worry about Article 17 of this proposed WHO agreement are those who peddle “false, misleading, misinformation or disinformation”.
Fact #4 : No One Can “Take Over” The Internet
The Internet is not some kind of organisation that the WHO can “take over”, even if it wants to. The Internet is a global system of networks, literally a “network of networks” connecting the networks in each country to each other.
Until today, there is no centralised control of the Internet – no one sets the rules or policies, or even technical implementations. It is up to each country to adopt its own policies, although to ensure interoperability, the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) manages the domain name system (DNS), while the Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF) helps to standardise and improve technical aspects of the Internet.
Due to its autonomous nature, no one can control the Internet, never mind take over control. Individual countries and organisations can control its own networks, limiting or filtering access as they wish, but they cannot do so for other networks.
Fact #4 : Many Countries Do NOT Want A Binding Treaty
The claim that this is a binding treaty is, currently, false.
While the European Union, Britain, Indonesia and Kenya have proposed that the changes be adopted in the form of a binding treaty, the United States, India and Brazil opposed that idea.
The EU proposed the treaty and is its biggest backer, with support from Britain, Indonesia, Kenya and others.
The United States will take part in the talks but has opposed a binding treaty. India and Brazil have also voiced reservations.
With so many member countries involved, securing agreement is likely to be tricky.
If you download and read the zero draft, you will realise that the WHO is still calling it a “convention, agreement, or other international instruments“, clearly showing that member countries have not decided whether they want it to be binding or otherwise.
In the third point noted on the very first page of the draft, it was even pointed out that this is just a draft that is being used for “commencing negotiations“, and that “nothing is agreed until everything is agreed“.
The INB (Intergovernmental Negotiating Body) further agreed that the zero draft would be considered at its fourth meeting as a basis for commencing negotiations at that meeting, it being understood that the zero draft will be without prejudice to the position of any delegation and following the principle that “nothing is agreed until everything is agreed”.
So it is ludicrous for anyone who read the first page of the zero draft to claim that this is a binding treaty.
Fact #7 : WHO Agreement Must Be Ratified By Member Countries
The claim that the proposed WHO agreement will be voted on by “mostly unelected diplomats” is nonsense.
First of all, the agreement was drafted and amended by member countries themselves. The WHO is only facilitating this agreement. It is not the one creating the agreement.
Secondly, even after member countries agree on a final WHO agreement, it must be approved and adopted by each individual country. This is clearly stated in Article 33(1) with my emphasis in bold:
The WHO CA+ shall be subject to ratification, acceptance, approval or accession by States, and to formal confirmation or accession by regional economic integration organizations. It shall be open for accession from the day after the date on which the WHO CA+ is closed for signature. Instruments of ratification, acceptance, approval, formal confirmation or accession shall be deposited with the Depositary.
Fact #8 : All Treaties Require US Senate Ratification
The move by Republican Senators to introduce a bill that would require the WHO treaty to be approved by two-thirds of the Senate is nothing more than political drama, because it is already the law of the land.
The US Constitution gives the Senate the sole power to approve, by a two-thirds vote or more, all international treaties (binding agreements) negotiated by the executive branch.
[The President] shall have Power, by and with the Advice and Consent of the Senate, to make Treaties, provided two thirds of the Senators present concur;
In other words, the bill by Republican senators is irrelevant political theatre. If the WHO agreement is a binding treaty, the US Constitution already requires two-thirds of the US Senate to ratify it.
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Please Support My Work!
Support my work through a bank transfer / PayPal / credit card!
Name : Adrian Wong Bank Transfer : CIMB 7064555917 (Swift Code : CIBBMYKL)
Credit Card / Paypal : https://paypal.me/techarp
Dr. Adrian Wong has been writing about tech and science since 1997, even publishing a book with Prentice Hall called Breaking Through The BIOS Barrier (ISBN 978-0131455368) while in medical school.
He continues to devote countless hours every day writing about tech, medicine and science, in his pursuit of facts in a post-truth world.
You may have seen celebrities endorsements of BitiCodes or Biti Codes circulating on Facebook and Instagram, but they are all FAKE.
Find out why there are so many fake celebrity endorsements of Biticodes / Biti Codes, and how they are doing it!
BitiCodes / Biti Codes : Fake Celebrity Endorsements
BitiCodes or Biti Codes claims to be “the crypto industry’s most accurate AI auto-trading app“, which “works by automatically placing trades… using trading bots to strengthen your chances of making a profitable trade.”
If you never heard of it, you won’t be alone, because it’s mainly promoted via advertisements on Facebook, Instagram, etc. They are also promoting it through Google Ads like these examples, which will often appear in completely legitimate websites.
Clicking on those advertisements will lead to legitimate-looking articles from local or crypto publications, often with a celebrity endorsing Biticodes / Biti Codes.
Here in Malaysia, people will see Biticodes being endorsed by the likes of local politicians like Lim Guan Eng or Dr. Mahathir. But those in the cybersecurity industry will quickly realise that these articles are familiar because they are almost exact copies of scam articles used in the previous Bitcoin Revolution scam.
Looking for reviews of Biticodes or Biti Codes is pointless, because they appeared to have paid for advertorials in legitimate media outlets, which are (intentionally?) wrongly listed as “reviews”. Only at the very bottom do they include a disclaimer that it was a sponsored post.
Outlook India
Biticodes Reviews : Today we’ll be talking about one platform called Biticodes that you can use to make an extra source of income. It’s safe, and you do not need to worry about anything. It may help you earn good money in very less time.
Disclaimer :This is sponsored review content posted by us. All the information about the product is taken from the official website (and not fact-checked by us). Contact customer care phone number given on product’s official website for order cancellation, return, refund, payment, delivery etc. related issues. Must consult any financial specialist before investing in BitiCodes Auto-Trading Software.
Tribune India
Biticodes is real or scam review 2022 : With an astonishing success rate of 90%, BitiCodes has what it takes to be your go-to platform for cryptocurrency trading. It can execute multiple deals per second – a rate that even the most experienced cryptocurrency traders would be hard-pressed to match.
Disclaimer :The views and opinions expressed in the above article are independent professional judgment of the experts and The Tribune does not take any responsibility, in any manner whatsoever, for the accuracy of their views. Biticodes are solely liable for the correctness, reliability of the content and/or compliance of applicable laws. The above is non-editorial content and The Tribune does not vouch, endorse or guarantee any of the above content, nor is it responsible for them in any manner whatsoever. Please take all steps necessary to ascertain that any information and content provided is correct, updated, and verified.
In other words, those are NOT legitimate reviews, and the media outlets did not even test Biticodes / Biti Codes. Their disclaimers show that their “reviews” were paid content, written by Biticodes / Biticodes.
Avast Explains How BitiCodes Scam Works
In an August 2022 article, the cybersecurity company explained how the BitiCodes (also known as TeslaCoin) scam works:
The scam encourages people to pay to create an account and invest into a fraudulent crypto investment platform. There are two ways the campaign reaches potential victims: Through Facebook ads and email. Ultimately, victims can end up losing at least $250.
At the bottom of the page is a webform requesting site visitors to enter their name, email address, and phone number in order to register for the platform. The victim receives an email from a bot sparking a conversation in the victim’s language.
After a brief example exchange, the bot sends a link to a payment gateway, and asks the victim to transfer $250 in order to activate their trading account. Another scenario involves the bot emailing potential victims with steps to login to a cryptocurrency broker page, and after a few more emails, the bot sends a link to a payment gateway, asking the victim for a $250 initial investment.
I also investigated the articles and the BitiCodes website, and noticed that they are all using highly-suspicious domains and links:
celesteal.xyz/biticodes for the BitiCodes website (registered 23 Nov. 2022)
thedailypressbriefing.com/my for the BTC-News website (registered 29 Jan. 2023)
saveontaxesthisyear.tax for the BTC-News website (registered 6 Feb. 2023)
As you can see, the domains are not only completely unrelated to the article / websites, they are almost brand new! And if you go to their domain root, nothing loads. That is not how legitimate websites function. If you do a WHOIS lookup, you will discover that the owners of these domains are hidden.
Regardless of whether BitiCodes / Biti Codes itself is legitimate, you should avoid any article that do not tally with the official website, or with irrelevant domains.
Don’t fall for the scam. Avoid these BitiCodes / Biti Codes advertisements and fake celebrity endorsements.
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Support my work through a bank transfer / PayPal / credit card!
Name : Adrian Wong Bank Transfer : CIMB 7064555917 (Swift Code : CIBBMYKL)
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Dr. Adrian Wong has been writing about tech and science since 1997, even publishing a book with Prentice Hall called Breaking Through The BIOS Barrier (ISBN 978-0131455368) while in medical school.
He continues to devote countless hours every day writing about tech, medicine and science, in his pursuit of facts in a post-truth world.
Now, let me show you how to spot these scams next time!
If you spot any of these warning signs, DO NOT PROCEED and DO NOT SHARE!
Warning Sign #1 : Bad Grammar
Most of these scammers do not have a good command of the English language, so if you spot bad grammar, stay away.
Proper contests or events sponsored by major brands like Tenaga Nasional will have at least one PR or marketing person who will vet the text before allowing it to be posted.
Warning Sign #2 : Offering You Free Money Or Gifts
Please do NOT be naive. No one is going to give you money or free gifts just to participate in a survey!
Tenaga Nasional isn’t going to give you FREE money, just because it’s their anniversary.
They are a corporation whose business is to make money, not a charity to give you free money.
Warning Sign #3 : Not Using The Real Jaya Grocer Domain
A genuine Tenaga Nasional campaign would use their real domain – www.tnb.com.my.
Or they would run it off the official Tenaga Nasional page on Facebook – www.facebook.com/TNBCareline/.
If you see nonsensical domains like merefamily.top, 0yjjg61.cn, 1eaf1rnbeef.top, ldxqw.bar, etc. that’s a sign it’s a SCAM!
Warning Sign #4 : Asking You To Forward The Offer
No brand will insist that you must share the offer with 5 groups or 20 friends on WhatsApp or Facebook Messenger.
Do not click to forward their offer to your family and friends. They will not appreciate being scammed with your help!
Warning Sign #5 : Asking You To Download + Register An App
If you click through and joined the fake survey scam, you will eventually be asked to download and register for an app.
This is VERY DANGEROUS. Never agree to download and register for any unknown app from a website.
Always download your apps from an official App Store like Google Play Store (for Android smartphones) and Apple App Store (for iPhones).
Please help us fight scams like this and SHARE this article out!
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Support my work through a bank transfer / PayPal / credit card!
Name : Adrian Wong Bank Transfer : CIMB 7064555917 (Swift Code : CIBBMYKL)
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Dr. Adrian Wong has been writing about tech and science since 1997, even publishing a book with Prentice Hall called Breaking Through The BIOS Barrier (ISBN 978-0131455368) while in medical school.
He continues to devote countless hours every day writing about tech, medicine and science, in his pursuit of facts in a post-truth world.
The body camera and CCTV videos, as well as the 911 call, were just released, finally killing off MAGA and QAnon conspiracies about Paul Pelosi and David DePape!
Earlier : MAGA, QAnon Conspiracies On Paul Pelosi + David DePape
For months now, MAGA and QAnon personalities and supporters have promoted various conspiracy theories about Paul Pelosi and David DePape.
Some claimed that Paul Pelosi was having a lover’s tiff with his gay boyfriend, David DePape; while others claimed that DePape was a male prostitute that Pelosi hired.
Seattle Times even came up with a list of 21 American elected officials and candidates, and prominent personalities who spread conspiracy theories about Paul Pelosi and David DePape:
Elected Officials and Candidates
Sen. Ted Cruz, Republican of Texas : Amplified doubts that all facts were disclosed Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, Republican of Georgia : Suggested Paul Pelosi knew his attacker. Rep. Clay Higgins, Republican of Louisiana : Suggested the attack involved male prostitution Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson, Republican of Louisiana : Raised doubts about the details of the attack. State Sen. Wendy Rogers, Republican of Arizona : Suggested the attack might have been staged. State Rep. Anthony Sabatini, Republican of Florida : Suggested the Pelosis are hiding vital information. Rep. Claudia Tenney, Republican of New York : Amplified a conspiracy theory about an extra marital gay affair. Mary Williams Benefield, Republican statehouse candidate of Georgia : Suggested the attack might have been staged. Royce White, Republican statehouse candidate of Minnesota : Claimed the attack involved an extramarital gay affair.
Prominent Figures
Donald J. Trump, former US President : Suggested the attack was staged. Devin Nunes, former representative of California : Repeated a false report that the attacker was in his underwear. Elon Musk, CEO of Twitter and Tesla : Amplified a conspiracy theory about male prostitution. Tucker Carlson, Fox News host : Raised doubts about the details of the attack. Peter Hegseth, Fox News host : Raised doubts that all facts were being disclosed. Megyn Kelly, talk show host : Raised doubts that all facts were disclosed. Glenn Beck, conservative commentator : Raised doubts about the details of the attack. Dinesh D’Souza, conservative commentator : Claimed the attack involved an extramarital gay affair. Ryan Fournier, founder of Students for Trump : Claimed details about attacker were fabricated. Sebastian Gorka, former Trump adviser and podcast host : Raised doubts about the details of the attack. Michael Savage, talk show host : Raised doubts that all facts were disclosed. Roger Stone, Trump associate : Suggested the attack was staged.
On Saturday, January 28, 2023, all those MAGA and QAnon conspiracy theories were dismissed as utter nonsense with the release of the body camera and CCTV videos, as well as the 911 call.
The evidence now definitively prove that all those MAGA and QAnon conspiracy theories about Paul Pelosi and David DePape were complete fabrication.
They were released after a state court judge ruled on Wednesday, January 25, 2023, that there was no reason to keep them secret.
The San Francisco district attorney earlier refused to release them, forcing a coalition of news agencies to sue for access to the evidence.
Police Body Camera Video
The police body camera video showed Paul Pelosi and David DePape holding onto a hammer, when after Pelosi opened the door. Neither man were wearing underwear, as some conspiracy theorists have alleged.
When the officer asked them to drop the hammer, DePape wrest the hammer from Pelosi and proceeded to attack him with the hammer. The actual hammer hit on Paul Pelosi’s head occurred out of the camera’s view.
After police officers wrestled David DePape to the ground, Paul Pelosi can be seen lying face down on the floor, apparently unconscious in a pool of what appears to be his own blood.
WARNING : GRAPHIC VIDEO!!!
This is the official police body camera video showing David DePape attacking Paul Pelosi!|
The surveillance video came from a Capitol Police CCTV camera that was installed at the Pelosi household.
There was not Capitol Police present, as Speaker Nancy Pelosi was away – their protection unfortunately did not extend to her husband.
David DePape is seen arriving at the back of the Pelosi house with two backpacks, before proceeding to use a hammer to smash the glass door six times, before attempting to break in.
After failing to gain entry, DePape proceeded to whack the glass door with his hammer ten more times, before using his shoulder to smash his way through.
He can then be seen ducking through the glass door – he appears to have broken just two glass panels.
This video clip shows David DePape smashing his way into Nancy and Paul Pelosi's home.
The 911 call, which runs almost 3 minutes, showed Paul Pelosi trying to alert the operator to the danger he was facing without triggering David DePape who was listening to the call, and even chimed in.
Here is my rough transcript of what was said in that 911 call between Paul Pelosi and David DePape on one end, and the 911 operator on the other end.
Operator : This is San Francisco Police. Do you need help?
Pelosi : There is a gentleman here waiting for my wife to come back. Nancy Pelosi. He’s just waiting for her to come back. She’s not going to be here for a day, so I guess we’ll have to wait. Is the Capitol Police around? They’re usually here at the house protecting my wife.
Operator : Okay, do you need Police, Fire, or Medical, for anything?
Pelosi : Uh, I don’t think so. I don’t think so. There’s the, um… Is the Capitol Police around?
Operator : No, this is San Francisco Police.
Pelosi : They’re usually here at the house protecting my wife.
Operator : No, this is San Francisco Police.
Pelosi : No, I understand. Uh, okay, well, uh. (speaking to DePape) I don’t know. What do you think?
DePape : I think everything’s good.
Pelosi : He thinks everything’s good. I’ve got a problem, but he thinks everything’s good.
Operator : Okay, call us back if you change your mind.
Pelosi : No, no, no, this gentleman just came into the house, and he wants to wait for my wife to come home. And so, uh… Anyway.
Operator : Do you know who the person is?
Pelosi : No, I don’t know who he is. He’s telling me not to do anything.
Operator : What is your name?
Pelosi : My name is Paul Pelosi. Anyway, this gentleman says that… he’s telling me to put the phone down, and to do what he says. Okay?
Operator : Okay, what’s the gentleman’s name?
Pelosi : I don’t know.
DePape : David DePape.
Pelosi : What’s that?
DePape : My name’s David.
Pelosi : His name’s David.
Operator : Okay, and who is David?
Pelosi : I don’t know. (to DePape) What’s that?
DePape : I’m a friend of theirs.
Pelosi : I don’t… He said he’s a friend, but as I said, I don’t know…
Operator : But you don’t know who he is?
Pelosi : No, ma’am.
Operator : Okay.
Pelosi : He’s telling me I’m being very leading, so I have to stop talking to you, okay?
Operator : Okay. You sure? I can stay on the phone with you just to make sure everything’s okay.
DePape : No, we want you to…
Pelosi : He wants me to get the hell off the phone. Okay?
Operator : Okay.
Pelosi : Thank you.
Operator : Okay, bye.
As you can tell by now – Paul Pelosi had no idea who David DePape was, and you can hear how he’s trying to convey to the 911 operator the danger he was in, without tipping off DePape.
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Support my work through a bank transfer / PayPal / credit card!
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Dr. Adrian Wong has been writing about tech and science since 1997, even publishing a book with Prentice Hall called Breaking Through The BIOS Barrier (ISBN 978-0131455368) while in medical school.
He continues to devote countless hours every day writing about tech, medicine and science, in his pursuit of facts in a post-truth world.
Was David DePape, who attacked Paul Pelosi with a hammer, a male prostitute he hired the night before?!
Take a look at the viral claim, and find out what the facts really are!
Updated @ 2023-01-28 : Added the bodycam and CCTV surveillance videos on the night of the assault. Originally posted @ 2022-11-01
Claim : David DePape Was A Prostitute Paul Pelosi Hired!
The Santa Monica Observer went viral recently, after Elon Musk shared a story by its staff writer, Stan Greene, that claimed David DePape was actually a male prostitute that Paul Pelosi hired!
It’s a long, rambling article, so feel free to skip to the next section for the facts!
The Awful Truth: Paul Pelosi Was Drunk Again, And In a Dispute With a Male Prostitute Early Friday Morning.
As SF’s gay bars closed at 2 am, two gay men met in a bar and went home together. Happens every night in the City by the Bay. Except one of these two men, was married to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.
I might disappear for telling you the truth. If I do, you’ll all know why. But here’s what really happened early Friday morning in San Francisco. IMHO–in my humble opinion.
According to SFPD “RP [Reporting Person] stated that there’s a male in the home and that he’s going to wait for his wife. RP stated that he doesn’t know who the male is but he advised that his name is David, and that he is a friend,” the dispatch official said. “RP sounded somewhat confused.”
It’s been a rumor for years in SF that Paul Pelosi is gay. David Depape is said to be a Castro Nudist. “The lunatic who allegedly assaulted Paul Pelosi is a Berkeley resident and a ‘Former Castro Nudist Protester’ and hemp ‘jewelry maker’ …sounds totally MAGA Republican to me. 🤣🤣” this from Twitter.
Ok, so here’s the theory, as related to me by a source: “Castro Nudists are a group of really radical gay male prostitutes that parade around naked with c–k rings. First of all, the Police did not come in response to an alarm. They come in response to a “wellness check”. So someone called them to check on Pelosi.”
“When he didn’t answer the phone, the cops broke the sliding glass door to get in. Pelosi was struggling with the suspect, who was in his underwear.
Pelosi owned the hammer. Not Depape. Or, the male prostitute was doing something Pelosi didn’t like.”
“And then there was the press conference when they didn’t know the mic was on. During that, a reporter confirmed that the suspect was a gay Castro Nudist, but (authorities) told him he couldn’t use it.”
“Now tell me something. These people are worth hundreds of millions of dollars. Nancy is third in line to the Presidency. You don’t think they have the most amazing security? And by the way, when Pelosi was in that drunk driving accident, he had a young man with him, and that too was covered up by the police and the press.”
“How would (suspect Depape) have been able to break a window that without triggering an alarm? He didn’t. The police broke the window to gain entry. There was only one hammer, and it belonged to Pelosi. And only ONE cop quoted the perpetrator saying, “Where’s Nancy?” None of the other sources said that happened. “
“And one of them could easily have broken that window. Remember, there was no alarm triggered. How would (suspect Depape) have gotten into that house without doing that? The cops smashed the glass to gain entry.”
Who called 911 to initiate a wellness check? Either Nancy or her staff, who hadn’t hear from Paul all evening and suddenly it’s 2 am. Or a neighbor, hearing a fight at the Pelosi residence.
Truth : David DePape Was NOT A Prostitute Paul Pelosi Hired!
This is yet another example of FAKE NEWS created to generate page views and money from gullible people.
Fact #1 : Santa Monica Observer Is Notorious For Fake News
Santa Monica Observer is a “content aggregator” (copy and paste) website that is known for creating fake news to generate more page views and money.
To look legitimate, they copy and paste news from legitimate news organisations. To drive traffic, they create fake news. Here’s a selection of fake claims they posted in the past:
Hillary Clinton died in 2016, and it was her body double who debated Donald Trump.
Trump appointed Kanye West to a high-level position in the Interior Department.
Bill Gates is responsible for the recent polio epidemic.
Fact #2 : David DePape Broke Into Paul Pelosi’s Home
Santa Monica Observerfalsely claimed that David DePape was a male prostitute who stayed overnight at Paul Pelosi’s home, but had a quarrel that resulted in the assault.
It’s a silly claim, because DePape admitted to police, in a sworn affidavit to the US District Court of Northern California, that he broke into the house through a rear glass door at around 2 AM on October 28, 2022.
DEPAPE stated that he broke into the house through a glass door, which was a difficult task that required the use of a hammer. DEPAPE stated that Pelosi was in bed and appeared surprised by DEPAPE. DEPAPE told Pelosi to wake up.
Santa Monica Observerfalsely claimed that Paul Pelosi owned the hammer that was used in the attack.
David DePape planned to take US Speaker Nancy Pelosi hostage, interrogate her, and possibly break her kneecaps. So he brought two hammers (one later found in his backpack), a roll of tape, white rope, one pair of rubber and cloth gloves, and a journal.
[L]aw enforcement searched DEPAPE’s backpack at the Pelosi residence, and they found, among other things, a roll of tape, white rope, one hammer, one pair of rubber and cloth gloves, and a journal.
Police would later find another two hammers, together with a sword, and another pair of rubber and cloth gloves at DePape’s own garage.
On January 28, 2023, CCTV surveillance video showed David DePape hitting the glass door at the back of the Pelosi house 16 times with a hammer, before smashing his way inside.
This video clip shows David DePape smashing his way into Nancy and Paul Pelosi's home.
Santa Monica Observerfalsely claimed that the police went to conduct a “wellness check” on Paul Pelosi after someone else called them.
The truth is – the San Francisco Dispatch received a 9-1-1 call from Paul Pelosi at 2:23 AM, after he managed to escape to the bathroom.
Pelosi told the dispatcher that there was a male whom he did not know in his home, and that the man who called himself David was going to wait for his wife – US Speaker Nancy Pelosi.
San Francisco Police Department officers responded to the Pelosi residence at 2:31 AM.
Fact #5 : Police Officers Did Not Break The Window / Door
Santa Monica Observerfalsely claimed that the police broke a window or sliding glass door to gain entry into the Pelosi residence.
The truth is – when the police officers arrived, they knocked on the door, and Paul Pelosi ran to the door to open it. That was when Pelosi and DePape got into a tussle over the hammer.
When the door opened, the officers saw both Pelosi and DePape grappling over the hammer, with DePape holding Pelosi’s forearm with his other hand.
When the officers asked them both to drop the hammer, DePape pulled it out of Pelosi’s hand and hit him on the head, knocking him unconscious.
On January 28, 2023, the police released the bodycam video of the officers who responded. You can see that Paul Pelosi opened the front door (which is a wooden door) for them, before he was assaulted by DePape with a hammer.
Fact #6 : David DePape Is Not Gay, Nor A Prostitute
Santa Monica Observerfalsely claimed that David DePape is a male prostitute. There is no evidence DePape is gay or a prostitute.
He is a hemp jewellery maker who once lived with a nudist activist, Oxane “Gypsy” Taub. She lived with him for many years, and was the mother of his children – two sons and a daughter.
DePape also had another child, with a different unnamed woman, according to his stepfather, Gene DePape.
Fact #7 : David DePape Espoused Right Wing Conspiracy Views
Santa Monica Observer and many US conservatives are trying to frame David DePape as a left wing Castro nudist liberal.
However, DePape’s blog and social media posts show that he is deep into right wing conspiracy theories like:
He posted that journalists who deny Donald Trump’s false claims of widespread voter fraud in the 2020 Presidential election “should be dragged straight out into the street and shot”.
He posted and referenced QAnon – the baseless conspiracy theory espoused by Trump supporters, that the US is run by a deep state cabal of child sex traffickers, pedophiles and baby-eating cannibals.
He also claimed that Jews helped finance Hitler’s political rise in Germany.
He was also a Trump supporter, calling for the disgraced former president to run for office again, and make Tulsi Gabbard his Vice President running mate.
Fact #8 : Paul Pelosi Was Alone During His Drunk Driving Accident
Santa Monica Observerfalsely claimed that there was a young man with Paul Pelosi when he hit a car while driving under the influence of alcohol.
The accident report showed that only the two drivers were involved in the accident. There were no passengers in both cars.
Everything that Santa Monica Observer publishes should be regarded as FAKE NEWS, until proven otherwise.
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Dr. Adrian Wong has been writing about tech and science since 1997, even publishing a book with Prentice Hall called Breaking Through The BIOS Barrier (ISBN 978-0131455368) while in medical school.
He continues to devote countless hours every day writing about tech, medicine and science, in his pursuit of facts in a post-truth world.
Is it true that rear passengers caught not wearing a seat belt on the PLUS North-South Expressway will receive a RM300 fine?
Find out what’s going on, and what the FACTS really are!
Claim : RM300 Seat Belt Fine By Police On PLUS Highway!
These viral messages have been circulating on SMS, WhatsApp and Facebook since early January 2021, but keep getting reposted every holiday season.
🙏. INFORMATION🙏
The North-South Expressway PLUS starts today, and police officers will check every day in the evening~ The passengers in the back seat with no seat belt, will be fined RM300 per person, RM600 for two people.
👉 Please do update friends & family members to be alert & pay attention in this matter.
👉 Just now a lot of cars have been issued with fines.
👉 Please notify everyone going out to remember to wear a seat belt at the back seat.
Just received and send.
南北高速 PLUS 今天开工，警察每天晚上都会检查～后排座位上的乘客没有系安全带，将被罚款。每人 300 令吉，两个人 RM600“.
The North-South Expressway PLUS starting today, PDRM will check vehicles~ Passengers in the rear seats who are not wearing seat belts will be fined. RM300 per person, RM600 for two persons.
The Truth : There Is No RM300 Seat Belt Fine
The truth is there is no RM300 fine for rear passengers who are caught not wearing a seat belt.
Fact #1 : JSPT Refuted RM300 Seat Belt Fine Claim
The Bukit Aman Traffic Investigation and Enforcement Department (JSPT) refuted the claim that they would be checking cars travelling on the PLUS North-South Expressway in the evenings, and issuing a RM300 fine for those caught not wearing a seat belt at the back.
The JSPT Deputy Director SAC Datuk Mohd Nadzri Hussain said, “We at JSPT would like to advise all road users to continue complying with the laws and regulations to ensure the safety of every road user.”
“In addition, we would also like to urge the public to stop spreading fake information and to always ensure the validity of any viral information shared on social media sites.”
Fact #2 : Rear Seat Belt Mandatory Since 1 January 2009
It has been mandatory in Malaysia to wear a seat belt while seated in the back seat of a vehicle since 1 January 2009, except for :
old vehicles registered before 1 January 1995
vehicles registered on or after 1 January 1995, but lack rear anchorage points
vehicles that seat more than 8 passengers (not including driver)
good vehicles with carrying load of more than 3.5 tonnes
Fact #3 : Seat Belt Fine Is Way More Than RM300
Any driver or passengers, whether seated in the front or rear, caught not wearing a seat belt will be subject to :
a fine of up to RM 2,000, and / or
a prison sentence of up to 1 year
As you can see – that’s a LOT higher than the RM300 fine in the viral messages.
Fact #4 : RM300 Seat Belt Fine “Offer” Ended In 2009
The RM300 seat belt fine was actually a discounted offer for a 6-month introductory period when the seat belt law came into effect.
From 1 January until 30 June 2009 – the police and JPJ only issued a reduced RM300 fine to those who were caught no wearing a seat belt.
That “introductory fine” had long expired, so drivers are now subject to the much higher penalties.
Please help us fight fake news – SHARE this fact check with your family and friends, and SUPPORT our work!
Please Support My Work!
Support my work through a bank transfer / PayPal / credit card!
Name : Adrian Wong Bank Transfer : CIMB 7064555917 (Swift Code : CIBBMYKL)
Credit Card / Paypal : https://paypal.me/techarp
Dr. Adrian Wong has been writing about tech and science since 1997, even publishing a book with Prentice Hall called Breaking Through The BIOS Barrier (ISBN 978-0131455368) while in medical school.
He continues to devote countless hours every day writing about tech, medicine and science, in his pursuit of facts in a post-truth world.
Both H&M and the police are investigating how a hidden camera was used to record videos of people in a fitting room and then sold online!
Hidden Camera Allegedly Used To Record Videos In H&M Fitting Room!
The H&M fitting room hidden camera scandal exploded on Wednesday, 11 January 2023, after a Twitter user called Nishea (@meleisgw) exposed a private group that was allegedly selling four videos showing couples inside a fitting room.
The video footage appeared to be taken from above the fitting room by a hidden camera, and the videos allegedly showed shoppers undressing and trying on clothes, as well as couples hugging and/or engaging in sexual activities.
The four videos have now leaked, and are being sold through social media and Telegram groups for about RM20 to RM30 (US$4.50 to RM6.80) for the full set. That may seem “cheap”, but it’s because so many people have them already.
If you are thinking of buying these videos, don’t. You are more than likely to get scammed. And will you report to the police that you were cheated of money while trying to buy illegally-recorded videos of people in a fitting room?
One of the victims reached out to Nishea, and confirmed that the incident happened at the H&M store in the Avenue K mall in October 2022. The victim also said that she used the furthest most stall on the left of the fitting room.
She verified her story by showing her receipt of her clothes purchase on that day, and a photo of herself wearing the same clothes. A second victim also reached out to Nishea after that.
Both H&M and the police are now investigating the case.
H&M Fitting Room Hidden Camera Under Investigation!
After the incident erupted on social media, H&M addressed the issue, stating:
In response to recent concerns about hidden cameras in H&M fitting rooms, we have conducted an inspection of the fitting rooms in all H&M stores in Malaysia and are working to ensure that there are no security breaches that will compromise the privacy of our customers, as their safety is of utmost importance to us. All findings to date have been reported to the police, and investigations are currently ongoing.
The security manager of the Avenue K mall also lodged a police report over the matter at the Dang Wangi police station.
Assistant Police Commissioner OCPD Noor Delihan Yahya said that the police searched the H&M store but did not find any camera, and believe that the footage could have been recorded in a different location.
The Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) is now investigating the case under Section 509 of the Penal Code for intentionally insulting the modesty of any woman by word, through sound, gesture, or object.
Here is our English translation of their press release on the matter.
On 11/01/2023 at approximately 0900hrs, one (1) 11-second video was uploaded by the owner of the Nishae Twitter account which shows the video recording from a hidden camera of the dressing room of a shopping center in the link https://twitter.com/meleisaw/status/1612094210810998785.
On 09/01/2023 at approximately 1638hrs, the Criminal Investigation Department of the Dang Wangi police headquarters, Kuala Lumpur received a police report regarding the incident. Preliminary investigations are underway to identify the date and location of the incident. The act is an offense under Section 509 of the Penal Code.
H&M Fitting Room Hidden Camera : Past Incident In China
This isn’t the first time H&M shoppers were targeted by hidden cameras in its fitting rooms.
Back in July 2017, a shopper called Chu spotted a hidden camera while changing her clothes inside a fitting room in the H&M store in Zhongshan, the south Guangdong province in China.
The camera was linked to a white plastic box behind the curtain on the other side of the door. The police later claimed that several other fitting rooms were also suspected to be fitted with hidden cameras.
However, I should point out that hidden cameras are a risk everywhere, not just in H&M fitting rooms, or any fashion outlet for the matter. It’s a risk in public toilets and even hotel rooms.
What we should learn about this is to be more aware of what’s around us in any room that is accessible to the public, even if it has a door and a lock.
Support my work through a bank transfer / PayPal / credit card!
Name : Adrian Wong Bank Transfer : CIMB 7064555917 (Swift Code : CIBBMYKL)
Credit Card / Paypal : https://paypal.me/techarp
Dr. Adrian Wong has been writing about tech and science since 1997, even publishing a book with Prentice Hall called Breaking Through The BIOS Barrier (ISBN 978-0131455368) while in medical school.
He continues to devote countless hours every day writing about tech, medicine and science, in his pursuit of facts in a post-truth world.
Please watch out for fake donation requests for Damar Hamlin who suffered a cardiac arrest during a primetime NFL game!
Scam Alert : Fake Damar Hamlin Donation Requests!
After Damar Hamlin suddenly collapsed from cardiac arrest during the primetime NFL game between the Buffalo Bills and the Cincinnati Bengals, his GoFundMe page has exploded with donations – at publication time, it raised over $7.7 million!
However, scammers are apparently also trying to milk public concern for Damar Hamlin, and his family relayed a warning through his friend and marketing rep, Jordon Rooney, about people requesting cash app and GoFundMe donations in his name.
Damars parents wanted me to get this out there:
Beware of people requesting cash app donations and making GoFundMe’s.
If you do want to support Damar’s foundation, his initial toy drive campaign has turned into the central location for that.
Damar Hamlin Donation Shifted From GoFundMe To Website
To avoid further confusion, the Chasing M’s Foundation created a new website to handle the donations directly.
When Rooney announced the new website, he shared that Chasing M’s Foundation is a 501 (c) (3) non-profit organisation that is dedicated to “supporting the aspirations of youth and community members through sports, education, and enrichment opportunities“.
The executive director, Mario Hamlin, ask that people who wish to donate to the foundation, please do so through the new website. He also asked that people consider donating to the University of Cincinnati Medical Center trauma center, or buy your trauma center team and first responders lunch.
The Hamlin family appears to be making these moves to curb the donation scams that have mushroomed over public support for Damar Hamlin.
So please do NOT donate to any other Damar Hamlin initiatives, cash app requests, or GoFundMe pages. The only legitimate avenues for donations towards Damar Hamlin are:
The Chasing M’s Foundation website
University of Cincinnati Trauma Center
Alternatively, you can show your appreciation for first responders and trauma teams in your area, by buying them lunch.
When he was still in college at the University of Pittsburgh, Damar Hamlin started a toy drive on GoFundMe called The Chasing M’s Foundation Community Toy Drive.
Its first program with a 2020 Community Toy Drive, which set a goal of just $2,500 to buy toys for “children who have been hardest hit by the pandemic”.
As I embark on my journey to the NFL, I will never forget where I come from and I am committed to using my platform to positively impact the community that raised me. I created The Chasing M’s Foundation as a vehicle that will allow me to deliver that impact, and the first program is the 2020 Community Toy Drive.
This campaign gives you the opportunity to contribute to our first initiative and positively impact children who have been hardest hit by the pandemic. 100% of the funds raised will go toward the purchase of toys for kids in need. The time to act is now, as we will be distributing toys on December 22nd from 3:30 to 5:30 PM from Kelly and Nina’s Daycare Center at 800 Russellwood Ave., McKees Rocks, PA 15136.
If you are not able to contribute monetarily, you can support this initiative in other ways. We are accepting donated toys at the Daycare Center or simply spread the word by sharing this fundraiser on your social channels.
Thank you so much for supporting me on and off the field. I am grateful to have the opportunity to work with you to help make the holiday season a little brighter for the kids in our community.
Damar Hamlin The Chasing M’s Foundation
After Damar Hamlin’s sudden collapse on the field, and subsequent hospitalisation in critical condition, his family reused the GoFundMe page to continue funding his community initiatives.
This fundraiser was initially established to support a toy drive for Damar’s community, sponsored by the Chasing M’s Foundation.
However, it has received renewed support in light of Damar’s current battle and we can’t thank all of you enough. Your generosity and compassion mean the world to us.
If you would like to show your support and contribute to Damar’s community initiatives and his current fight, this is the place to do so. This is the only current fund that is being used by the Hamlin Family.
Again, thank you for your thoughts, prayers and generous support during this time.
Damar created The Chasing M’s Foundation to use as a vehicle to bring lasting impact to his community. The foundation supports toy drives, back-to-school drives, kids camps, and more.
Damar Hamlin Donation Not Used To Support His Mother’s Daycare
Jordon Rooney also clarified that the official Damar Hamlin GoFundMe donation page is not being used to fund his mother’s daycare centre.
He explained that it was set up as a toy drive during his college days, and the toy giveaway was held at his mother’s daycare centre. Hence, the address listed in the GoFundMe is still his mother’s daycare centre.
Donations sent to his official GoFundMe would be used to support his foundation, which now does more than just toy drives, but also back to school drives, kids camps and more.
This came after sports business analyst Darren Rovell posted that the Damar Hamlin’s official GoFundMe would fund his mother’s daycare centre.
Damars GoFundMe does not support his mother’s daycare.. This was a toy drive that he set when he was in college and held it at the daycare.
The donations will support his foundation, which does toy drives, back to school drive, kids camps and more. Yeah
Waking up to see the incredible news that more than $3.2 million has been donated to Damar Hamlin’s GoFundMe page that supports his mother’s Day Care Center.
This is the Google Earth photo of the address of the center that corresponds to the GoFundMe. pic.twitter.com/Q5e96cDSUL
Please WARN OTHER PEOPLE by sharing this fact check article out, and please SUPPORT our work!
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In this article, we will show you many types of TNG eWallet SMS phasing scam, so you can avoid them!
Watch Out For TNG eWallet SMS Phishing Scam!
People are getting these SMS messages that appear to be from TNG eWallet, but are really just phishing scams!
RMO TNG eWallet: Bantuan e-dompet kepada golongan B40&M40 RM1000 akan dikreditkan ke dalam TNG eWallet anda. Kemaskini maklumat dan semakan status di www.tngewalletbantuangov.com
RMO T’n GO Your account function has been closed. You need to confirm the device immediately. Follow my.tngwallc.com
RMO TNG Wallet: Permohonan GOpinjam anda telah diluluskan, RM3000 telah kredit ke TNG Wallet anda. Sila semak baki dan tuntutan anda di http://logtouchngo.cc
RMO GOV: Terima kasih atas sokongan anda dari kerajaan BN.Bantuan e-dompet kepada rakyatMalaysia berjumlah RM500 telah kredit ke TNG Wallet anda. Sila sahkan identiti dan semak baki anda di https://touchngoemy.top/
How TNG eWallet SMS Phishing Scam Works!
The many examples of the TNG eWallet phishing scam employ SMS spoofing technology to send you SMS messages that appear to be from the TNG eWallet team.
What most people don’t know is that – the TNG eWallet team will never send you any SMS messages to :
offer you money from government or other agencies
inform you that money has been credited to your eWallet
ask you to log into your eWallet account using a link
ask you to update your account information using a link
The TNG eWallet team warned users against clicking on any links sent by SMS, even if they appear to be genuine. Genuine TNG eWallet SMS messages will never have a link attached.
These links do not lead to the real TNG eWallet website (https://www.touchngo.com.my/), but use similar-looking fake domains, like:
If you see such domains, you should be alert that you are being targeted by a phishing scam. NEVER CLICK ON A LINK in any TNG eWallet SMS.
If you click on any of these links, you will be taken to a page that looks like a genuine TNG eWallet login page, but is really a phishing scam page.
If you key in your login details, as well as your phone number and One-Time Password (OTP), the scammers will have full access to your eWallet, and can freely transfer out your eWallet balance.
As many of us link our credit cards to the TNG eWallet, the scammers can also reload your eWallet using those credit cards, and transfer the money out.
So make sure you IGNORE any SMS message that asks you to click on a link, even if it appears to be from TNG eWallet.
Please help to fight financial scams, by SHARING this article with your family and friends!
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He continues to devote countless hours every day writing about tech, medicine and science, in his pursuit of facts in a post-truth world.
Twitter has “sort of” recovered after going down for many hours on Wednesday night / Thursday morning!
Twitter Sort Of Recovers After Going Down For Hours!
At around 7:30 PM Eastern Time on Wednesday, December 2022 (8:30 AM MYT on Thursday morning), Twitter went down.
Users reported all sorts of problems – from the Twitter app and website showing a blank screen, or reporting “exceeded rate limit” errors, or getting logged out automatically. Most got this generic error message :
Error : Something went wrong, but don’t fret – it’s not your fault. Let’s try again.
It was roughly three hours later when Twitter started to recover, albeit in fits and starts. Many users were able to log in again, but continue to report seeing their tweets “disappear”, or that Twitter wouldn’t load any tweets.
Full access was restored for me at around 12:15 PM MYT (11:15 AM ET) – just under 4 hours after Twitter went down.
Twitter Going Down : Surprise It Didn’t Happen Sooner…
It’s really a wonder that Twitter didn’t go down earlier, after its new owner, Elon Musk, fired many of its technical staff – people who were paid to keep the service running.
Despite predictions that Twitter would go down during World Cup 2022, it surprisingly stayed up and kept up with the deluge of tweets.
Twitter also surprisingly managed to “sort of” restore access during its latest downtime. Even so – this down time will surely reignite criticisms of Elon Musk’s decision to gut Twitter’s technical teams.
The Twitter Support account is now up, but has not commented on the issue. And since Elon Musk has reportedly disbanded its press office, an official statement will probably come as a tweet from the Big Boss himself.
Elon has not commented on Twitter’s downtime, with his last tweet over 8 hours ago. He may own Twitter and have “god-like” powers, but even he cannot tweet when it goes down.
Perhaps he should consider reactivating the official Twitter account on Facebook, as a backup for such instances…
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Dr. Adrian Wong has been writing about tech and science since 1997, even publishing a book with Prentice Hall called Breaking Through The BIOS Barrier (ISBN 978-0131455368) while in medical school.
He continues to devote countless hours every day writing about tech, medicine and science, in his pursuit of facts in a post-truth world.
FTX founder Sam Bankman-Fried, popularly known as SBF, has just been arrested in the Bahamas, and is awaiting extradition by US authorities!
FTX Founder SBF Arrested, Awaiting US Extradition!
On Monday, December 12, 2022, the Royal Bahamas Police Force arrested FTX founder, Sam Bankman-Fried who is popularly known as SBF in the cryptocurrency community.
SBF was arrested after the United States government formally notified the Bahamas government that it filed criminal charges and is likely to request his extradition.
Attorney Damian Williams for the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York (SDNY) confirmed that the request was made by the US government based on a sealed indictment filed by the SDNY.
USA Damian Williams: Earlier this evening, Bahamian authorities arrested Samuel Bankman-Fried at the request of the U.S. Government, based on a sealed indictment filed by the SDNY. We expect to move to unseal the indictment in the morning and will have more to say at that time.
The Attorney General of the Bahamas then ordered SBF’s arrest, to hold him in custody until a formal request for extradition comes forth. Then the Bahamas intends to process the extradition request “promptly”.
When unsealed, charges that SBF potentially face include wire fraud, wire fraud conspiracy, securities fraud, securities fraud conspiracy, and money laundering. SBF could potentially face a life sentence in prison.
FTX Founder SBF Arrested : Official Statement
Here is the official statement issued by the Office of the Attorney General & Ministry of Legal Affairs, of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas.
Statement from the Attorney General of The Bahamas Sen. Ryan Pinder KC on the arrest of Sam Bankman-Fried
On 12 December 2022, the Office of the Attorney General of The Bahamas is announcing the arrest by The Royal Bahamas Police Force of Sam Bankman-Fried (“SBF”), former CEO of FTX.
BF’s arrest followed receipt of formal notification from the United States that it has filed criminal charges against BF and is likely to request his extradition.
As a result of the notification received and the material provided therewith, it was deemed appropriate for the Attorney General to seek BF’s arrest and hold him in custody pursuant to our nation’s Extradition Act.
At such time as a formal request for extradition is made, The Bahamas intends to process it promptly, pursuant to Bahamian law and its treaty obligations with the United States.
Responding to BF’s arrest, Prime Minister Davis stated, “The Bahamas and the United States have a shared interest in holding accountable all individuals associated with FTX who may have betrayed the public trust and broken the law. While the United States is pursuing criminal charges against BF individually, The Bahamas will continue its own regulatory and criminal investigations into the collapse of FTX, with the continued cooperation of its law enforcement and regulatory partners in the United States and elsewhere.
December 12, 2022 Office of The Attorney General & Ministry of Legal Affairs Commonwealth of The Bahamas
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Dr. Adrian Wong has been writing about tech and science since 1997, even publishing a book with Prentice Hall called Breaking Through The BIOS Barrier (ISBN 978-0131455368) while in medical school.
He continues to devote countless hours every day writing about tech, medicine and science, in his pursuit of facts in a post-truth world.
South Korean authorities just confirmed that Terraform CEO Do Kwon has been hiding out in Serbia!
Here is what you need to know!
Terraform CEO Do Kwon Found Hiding In Serbia!
South Korean authorities just confirmed that Do Kwon is hiding out in Serbia, and will be working with Serbian authorities to detain him.
The 31 year-old Terraform CEO was charged with fraud and breaches of the South Korean capital markets law after his company’s TerraUSD stablecoin and Luna cryptocurrency crashed in May 2022.
He fled Singapore in September to an unknown country, and has been on the run since, even though he denied trying to run away.
I am not ‘on the run’ or anything similar – for any government agency that has shown interest to communicate, we are in full cooperation and we don’t have anything to hide.
According to a 11 December report by Chosun Media, South Korean authorities received a tip-off about Do Kwon’s location in Serbia, and were able to confirm it.
Recently, we obtained intelligence that CEO Kwon was in Serbia, and it was found to be true.
South Korea and Serbia do not have an extradition treaty with each other, but both countries have agreed to requests under the European Convention on Extradition.
Terraform CEO Do Kwon : A Quick Refresher!
Do Kwon (born Kwon Do-Hyung on 6 September 1991) is the South Korean co-founder and CEO of Singapore-based Terraform Labs, which created the stable coin TerraUSD and the Luna cryptocurrency.
Both TerraUSD and Luna collapsed in May 2022, wiping out almost $45 billion of its market capitalisation in just one week, while causing hundreds of billions of dollars to be wiped out in the crypto market.
With approximately 200,000 South Korean investors affected by the crash of TerraUSD and Luna, the South Korean government announced that it would pursue criminal charges against Do Kwon. However, Do Kwon moved to Singapore in April – just before the crash.
On September 14, the Seoul Southern District Prosecutor’s Office issued an arrest warrant against Do Kwon for allegedly committing fraud and violating South Korea’s capital market laws.
Unfortunately, Do Kwon left Singapore around that time, flying to Dubai on the way to an unknown country.
Interpol then issued a Red Notice for Do Kwon on September 26, and the South Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs ordered him to surrender his passport on 6 October 2022, to which he responded:
Oh, I’m not using it anyway, so it doesn’t, I can’t see how that makes a difference to me.
In addition to Do Kwon, South Korean authorities also issued arrest warrants for five other people, who have not been named, over links to the TerraUSD stablecoin and the Luna cryptocurrency token.
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Dr. Adrian Wong has been writing about tech and science since 1997, even publishing a book with Prentice Hall called Breaking Through The BIOS Barrier (ISBN 978-0131455368) while in medical school.
He continues to devote countless hours every day writing about tech, medicine and science, in his pursuit of facts in a post-truth world.
Claim : Netanyahu Did Not Comment On Anwar Ibrahim As Israeli Agent!
That is yet another example of FAKE NEWS circulating on WhatsApp and social media, and here are the reasons why…
Fact #1 : Audio Message Was Not By Hadi Awang
First, there appears to be some confusion over who said that Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim is an Israeli agent.
The Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) opened up an investigation into claims that the audio recording was by Hadi Awang, the President of the Malaysian Islamic Party (PAS).
However, it was later clarified that the audio recording was of the Baling Member of Parliament Hassan Saad, also of the PAS party.
Hadi Awang had nothing to do with the audio recording, so there is no reason for Benjamin Netanyahu to call him out for that Israel agent allegation against Anwar Ibrahim.
Fact #2 : LOD + Police Report Made Against Hasan Saad
In fact, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim filed a letter of demand against Hassan Saad on November 30, 2022, seeking an unconditional apology over the viral audio recording alleging that he is an Israeli agent.
The PDRM also initiated investigations against Hassan Saad over the viral audio message, under Section 504 and Section 500 of the Penal Code for intentionally insulting the intent to defame a person, as well as Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998.
Therefore, there is simply no reason for Benjamin Netanyahu or any other persons to criticise Hadi Awang for calling Anwar Ibrahim an Israel agent.
Fact #3 : Benjamin Netanyahu Does Not Post In English
Anyone who bothers to check Benjamin Netanyahu’s official Twitter account (@netanyahu) would immediately realise that the viral screenshot was faked.
The first thing you will realise is that Benjamin Netanyahu does not post in English. He only posts in Hebrew – the official language of the State of Israel.
The viral screenshot cannot be of an English translation either, because it would have shown the original Hebrew words, with a disclaimer before the English translation – Translated from Hebrew by Google.
Fact #3 : Benjamin Netanyahu Did Not Comment On Anwar Ibrahim
The second thing you would realise if you look at Benjamin Netanyahu’s official Twitter account is that he did not post any tweet that mentions Malaysia, Hadi Awang, or Anwar Ibrahim.
Going back until November 19, 2022 – the date of the 15th Malaysia General Election, Benjamin Netanyahu has only commented on Israeli issues and politics.
Note : I placed a FALSE overlay to prevent the viral message from being further abused.
Fact #4 : Benjamin Netanyahu Is No Longer Prime Minister of Israel
Benjamin Netanyahu was ousted as Prime Minister of Israel on June 13, 2021, replaced by Naftali Bennett, and then Yair Lapid on July 1, 2022.
Netanyahu has not been the Prime Minister of Israel for over 18 months now, and would not have any standing to comment or act on behalf of the State of Israel.
Fact #5 : Fake Message Likely Written By Malaysian
The viral English message that was allegedly written by Benjamin Netanyahu has a curious term – religious rider.
That is a direct English translation of a very unique Malaysian slang term – penuggang agama, which refers to a hypocrite who uses religion for personal / political / financial gain.
There is no English or Hebrew equivalent for penunggang agama that I know of, which leads me to believe that this fake message was written by a Malaysian.
Now that you know the facts, please help us FIGHT FAKE NEWS by SHARING this fact check article out!
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Dr. Adrian Wong has been writing about tech and science since 1997, even publishing a book with Prentice Hall called Breaking Through The BIOS Barrier (ISBN 978-0131455368) while in medical school.
He continues to devote countless hours every day writing about tech, medicine and science, in his pursuit of facts in a post-truth world.
Find out how Apple has quietly limited AirDrop to help China prevent anti-government protests!
Protestors In China Use AirDrop To Organise + Bypass Censors!
China has been rocked by anti-government protests, that started at the in Zhengzhou, but later spread to at least seven cities.
Despite efforts by the CCP government to censor and block efforts to organise demonstrations, Chinese protestors were able to bypass the “Great Firewall” using the Apple AirDrop feature.
AirDrop is a proprietary feature that allows for the wireless transfers of files between Apple mobile devices and computers. It was used to great effect in 2019, when protestors in Hong Kong used it to bypass the China’s “Great Firewall” and organise their demonstrations.
Now, Chinese citizens are using the AirDrop feature of their iPhones to circulate information about planned demonstrations, or memes and messages opposing Chinese President Xi Jinping, or the Chinese government.
Since AirDrop communicates directly between Apple devices, it works even when the authorities shut down mobile communications and Internet connectivity.
How Apple Helps China Limit Protests Using AirDrop!
Unfortunately, Apple quietly introduced an update on November 9, 2022 to severely restrict the AirDrop feature on iPhones sold in China.
In the past, iPhone users in China could set AirDrop to accept files from Everyone without any time limit, allowing them to discreetly send and receive files from strangers.
The iOS 16.1.1 update introduced a 10 minute limit for AirDrop, making it impossible to receive files from strangers.
While it is still possible to receive files from strangers, users will have to repeatedly reset the setting to Everyone for 10 Minutes, which is not practical.
On top of that, the new time restriction on AirDrop affects all iPhones sold in China, regardless of which country your App Store account is based in. So foreigners who purchased their iPhones in China will be similarly affected.
It is not surprising that Apple would bend the knee to the CCP government. After all, China accounts for almost a fifth of Apple’s total sales!
In 2021, it was even reported that Apple CEO Tim Cook signed a secret $275 billion deal with China in 2016 to “solve” regulatory problems.
The relationship between Apple and the CCP government in China appears to be so strong that when Foxconn employees fled the massive iPhone factory in Zhengzhou, Beijing ordered military veterans and Communist Party members to fill in for the labour shortage!
It will now be up to the Chinese protestors to figure another way to bypass the Great Firewall. Jia you!
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Dr. Adrian Wong has been writing about tech and science since 1997, even publishing a book with Prentice Hall called Breaking Through The BIOS Barrier (ISBN 978-0131455368) while in medical school.
He continues to devote countless hours every day writing about tech, medicine and science, in his pursuit of facts in a post-truth world.
Twitter quietly removed its COVID-19 misinformation policy, and stopped taking action against people breaching those rules a week ago – on Wednesday, 23 November 2022!
Twitter quietly “announced” in its COVID-19 Misinformation Transparency report that it would stop enforcing its policy.
Effective November 23, 2022, Twitter is no longer enforcing the COVID-19 misleading information policy.
Instead of announcing the change in its COVID-19 misinformation policy page, Twitter quietly removed the page completely, even though you can still find it in the search results.
Removal Of Twitter Policy To Usher New Age Of COVID Misinformation!
The quiet removal of the Twitter COVID-19 misinformation policy is set to trigger a rush of disinformation and misinformation about the coronavirus, and its vaccines.
Twitter first initiated its COVID-19 misinformation policy in April 2020, with a five strike system against accounts posting “demonstrably false or misleading” content that “may lead to significant risk of harm”.
first-time offender will receive one strike, but no action would be taken against their accounts,
the second and third strikes would result in users being locked out of their accounts for 12 hours,
the fourth strike would result in a 7-day account lock-out, and finally,
those with five or more strikes would have their account permanently suspended.
Twitter challenged and removed a ton of accounts over COVID-19 misinformation. Here are the last updated stats as of September 2022:
11.72 million accounts challenged
11,230 accounts suspended
97,674 content removed
Even though it was far from perfect, Twitter’s COVID-19 misinformation policy did have an effect on misinformation about the coronavirus and its vaccines.
Unfortunately, it was set to break after Elon Musk laid off half of Twitter’s staff, and significantly reduce its content moderation department.
Elon Musk appears to be set on relying on Twitter users to conduct their own “content moderation” using Community Notes. Twitter users can vote on whether a note is useful or misleading, or add context if necessary. The updated Community Notes will introduce “scoring” to allow users to vote on the quality of the note. How well that will work out remains to be seen.
In the meantime, conspiracy theorists and anti-vaccination activists will have free rein to post whatever misinformation they wish.
Twitter advertisers may not like this, but it looks like Elon Musk has made up his mind to favour freedom of speech, over preventing harm through content moderation.
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Dr. Adrian Wong has been writing about tech and science since 1997, even publishing a book with Prentice Hall called Breaking Through The BIOS Barrier (ISBN 978-0131455368) while in medical school.
He continues to devote countless hours every day writing about tech, medicine and science, in his pursuit of facts in a post-truth world.
Is FIFA offering 50 GB of free mobile data to stream World Cup 2022 matches with no interruptions?!
Take a look at the viral offers, and find out why they are just scams!
Claim : FIFA Is Giving Free 50GB Data For World Cup 2022!
People are sharing viral offers for 50 GB of free mobile data to stream World Cup 2022 matches without interruption. Here are some examples :
* FIFA is giving people around the world 50GB of data for free to watch the 2022 Cartel [Qatar] World Cup.* * I Have Received Mine.* * OPEN THIS*
* FIFA memberi orang di seluruh dunia 50GB data secara percuma untuk menonton Piala Dunia Kartel [Qatar] 2022.* * Saya Telah Menerima Milik Saya.* * BUKA INI*
FREE 50GB DATA PLAN FOR ALL NETWORKS
PERCUMA PELAN DATA 50GB UNTUK SEMUA RANGKAIAN
Truth : FIFA Is Not Giving 50GB Free Data For World Cup 2022!
This is yet another SCAM circulating on WhatsApp and social media, and here are the reasons why you must avoid it!
Fact #1 : FIFA Is Not Offering Free Mobile Data
First, let me just say it out loud and clear – FIFA is not offering free mobile data anywhere in the world, just to watch World Cup 2022 matches.
FIFA makes its money through sale of television, marketing and licensing rights for World Cup 2022, so there is simply no reason for it to provide free mobile data to stream the matches.
Fact #2 : FIFA Would Never Give You Anything Free
Please do NOT be naive. No one is going to give you free data just to participate in a survey!
FIFA is a corporation whose business is to make money, not a charity to give you free data.
Fact #3 : They Do Not Use Official FIFA Domains
Genuine FIFA promotions would be announced on the official website at www.fifa.com, or their official social media accounts:
They would never run contests or promotions via dodgy domains like “subsidy.buzz”, “50g.kxoe1.xyz”, “50gb450.xyz”, or “zlqxt.top”.
Once you see those random domains, click delete. Or just ignore. DO NOT CLICK.
Fact #4 : They Are Advertisement Scams
After you click on the link, you will be redirected through a series of hidden advertisements before you arrive at the “offer page”.
The offer page will ask you a series of simple questions. Regardless of your answers, you will be congratulated and told you won the 50 GB free data plan for three months.
You will be asked to key in your mobile number to receive the free mobile data, but you will never receive anything. In one variant, you are even redirected to more advertisements, including a video advertisement.
Fact #5 : Brands Won’t Ask You To Forward The Contest
To get that free 50 GB data for three months, you are asked to share the “contest” with 12 friends or groups on WhatsApp.
That’s a clear sign of a scam. No brand will insist that you must share their contest or free offer with WhatsApp friends of groups.
Please do not click to forward their offer to your family and friends. They will not appreciate being scammed with your help!
Fact #6 : They Can Potentially Be Dangerous
Similar scams in the past have more dangerous variants, where you are asked to :
a) install an app, which is really a malware to keep sending you advertisements
b) enter your banking or credit card details, ostensibly to prove your identity or some other excuse
Needless to say – proceeding with this step will open you up to great risk of monetary loss. DO NOT PROCEED!
If you install their malware, you will start receiving promotions, some of which will ask you to send an SMS to receive expensive free gifts like laptops and smartphones.
If you proceed to send the confirmation SMS messages, you will be subscribed and billed for international premium SMS services.
This is VERY DANGEROUS. Never agree to download and register for any unknown app from a website.
Always download your apps from an official App Store like Google Play Store (for Android smartphones) and Apple App Store (for iPhones).
Fact #7 : They Are Just Another Example Of Online Scams
These are just more examples of online scams offering freebies.
Now that you know the facts, please WARN your family and friends!
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Dr. Adrian Wong has been writing about tech and science since 1997, even publishing a book with Prentice Hall called Breaking Through The BIOS Barrier (ISBN 978-0131455368) while in medical school.
He continues to devote countless hours every day writing about tech, medicine and science, in his pursuit of facts in a post-truth world.
Take a look at the parting words of Judge Augustine Paul – the man who convicted Anwar Ibrahim, and find out what the facts really are!
Claim : These Are The Parting Words Of Judge Augustine Paul
After Anwar Ibrahim was sworn in as the 10th Prime Minister of Malaysia, people started sharing these “parting words of Judge Augustine Paul – the man who convicted Anwar Ibrahim“.
It’s really long, so feel free to skip to the next section for the facts…
The parting words of Augustine Paul, the judge who convicted Anwar
A very good and MUST READ article by former Judge Augustine Paul who was known for handing down the guilty verdict on Anwar’s sodomy case. Now you can read his regrets and confession over the case as he pointed the fingers at, who else – MM himself! _Yes I respected him at one time but I look upon him with pity. It is the year 2010, Augustine Paul is a broken old man living alone. Close to death, he spends much time mulling over the past.
One more day nearly over. I sit in my usual spot on the verandah, gazing over the weedy patch of garden and into the trees where the noisy sparrows come home to roost. There are great flocks of them, chattering nineteen to the dozen, happily playing tag before bedtime. Do they ever notice me sitting here, so still, so alone, always envious of their querulous companionship? Twilight, the saddest, bleakest part of the day, with the light bleeding rapidly away; twilight brings back memories and regrets. Oh, where is everyone? My wife, dead for many years, taken away by cruel cancer; my children dying one by one before their time as though the sins of the father must be visited upon his offspring in accidents and disease and murder, all except one, the estranged one who is living far away across the seas. I write him letters nearly every day: “Son, I am only an old man. How can you not forgive me after twenty years? Son, you must understand, I was only an obedient slave to the powers that were. They used me like an appliance in the trial that shook the nation.” Letters that I write and then tear up because we have been through this so many times before. Yet, each time I hold the pen in my hand, I think I can write an explanation so striking, so convincing as to deliver him the lightning flash of insight. But I know I cannot. So I sit and watch the sparrows fly.
Strange that I can barely remember last week, but the events of twenty years ago have sharpened to the polish of knives. That packed courtroom, the public gallery all eye and ears, the reporters, the gesticulating lawyer, the scared witness in the box with his downcast eyes and low voice because we all knew that he was lying, and Anwar himself, so calm, so collected as though he was already past caring. I think of him and the light of my memory is as glaring as the noonday sun, not so much memory as shards of glass to pierce the innards of my soul. At the market, I ran into Ramasamy a few days ago. He is the only one who will not turn his eyes away from mine. He was kind enough to take me to a coffee-shop where we chatted the afternoon away as old men are wont to. We talked of the most mundane matters but, just before we parted, he made a most curious remark. He said: “Augustine, whatever they say, I will always believe that you made the right decision about Anwar.” I shook his hand but said nothing. Oh, What could I have said?
Ramasamy, you can’t not have known. Of course it was a travesty of justice. The whole purpose of that show trial was to convince the nation of Anwar’s imaginary crimes. Ramasamy, you were only being kind. The prosecution dragged in the most ugly evidences, but their witnesses were discredited one by one despite the fact that I gave the defence so little room until, finally, there was no case at all. Even the man in the street could tell, but I was the all powerful judge; I did not throw it out. I still pronounced him guilty on eight of the ten charges. That was what Mahathir wanted. It was necessary to let him off on a couple so the world would think it an independent judicial decision. But I was never free to act on my own. And then I sentenced him to twenty years. It was also what Mahathir wanted. Oh, what else could I have done? That cruel man, that dictator: he was always invisibly there all the time, pulling my strings. He stopped at nothing to satisfy his cruelty. It was nothing to him to use all the apparatus of government to achieve his end, nothing to him to sacrifice innocent lives like Anwar, Sukma, Munawar and Datuk Nalla.
And, after Anwar’s conviction, with the nation torn apart in the most horrible manner, I began to have my doubts. But in those days, I could sweep them all aside; I was part and parcel of the corruption in the judiciary, the government, the ruling party, and I shared in the tainted rewards. I was decorated with titles and promoted to the Bench of the Federal Court. Rumours were circulating of my nomination for the ultimate prize – the post of Chief Justice – when the broom came. Like many, I chose to resign rather than face removal.
I sometimes dream that I acted very differently from the expectations of the powers that were. I dreamt that I acquitted Anwar of all charges in one blazing moment of truth and justice: the jubilation in the streets, the worldwide applause, the consternation of the government who had thought it could not lose. And Mahathir would have found some airy-fairy charge to throw me into prison and possible torture, but I would have become a hero. Mahathir would have fallen quickly after, and the nation would have escaped great distress. But these are only thin, insubstantial dreams. It’s easy to be brave in hindsight but you cannot turn back time and tide. Now, for me, there is only the blackness and the sleepless nights. What happens after death? An old man at death’s door thinks too much of these things: God’s justice, lost souls, eternal torment in lakes of burning fire. I pray every day and the Reverend Peters visits me once a week to assure me of God’s forgiveness. But can I ever forgive myself?
It’s all dark now, the sparrows are quiet but the mosquitoes are biting. I must go inside, turn on every lamp to dispel the shadows – I have become like a child once more, afraid of the dark, but a child without a mother – and perhaps try once more to write that letter. I hope God will take me tonight in a small, quiet hour of sleep but, if not, I’ll be here again tomorrow to watch the sparrows fly.
AUGUSTINE PAUL PASSED AWAY IN 2010 AT THE AGE OF 66.
Truth : These Are NOT The Parting Words Of Judge Augustine Paul
That is yet another example of FAKE NEWS circulating on WhatsApp and social media, and here are the reasons why…
Note : The fact check credit goes to ManaSiaTauSiaMabuk.
Fact #1 : Augustine Paul Convicted Anwar Ibrahim In April 1999
First, let me just offer a quick refresher on Judge Augustine Paul, and his relevance to Anwar Ibrahim.
Augustine Paul was confirmed as a High Court judge less than six months before he presided over Anwar Ibrahim’s corruption case in November 1998.
After a 78-day trial, Judge Augustine Paul convicted Anwar Ibrahim on corruption charges, and sentenced him to six years in prison on 14 April 1999.
Note the 14 April 1999 date. This will be important in dismissing this article as fake later.
Fact #2 : Augustine Paul Died In 2010
Judge Augustine Paul would later die on 2 January 2010, after battling pancreatic cancer. This will be an important point, as you will see later.
Fact #3 : Augustine Paul Had A Wife + Two Children
Augustine Paul was not alone when he died. He was bedridden due to his illness, but was survived by his wife, Dr. Mary Paul, and his two grown-up children – Dr. Juliana Sharmini and Alan John, who were 29 years old and 27 years old in 2010.
The “parting words by Judge Augustine Paul” was originally shared with a disclaimer, stating:
Disclaimer: Extracted from soc.culture.malaysia; by: apaul@mahathir.show.trial
But in later versions, someone decided to remove the disclaimer, probably to make it appear genuine.
Fact #5 : It Appears To Be Written As “Fan Fiction”
The original source of the “parting words of Judge Augustine Paul” is this article called “I Watch The Sparrows Fly“, allegedly penned by the justice himself.
However, the letter itself was prefaced by this statement:
It is the year 2018 and Augustine Paul is a broken old man living alone. Close to death, he spends much time mulling over the past.
The “I Watch The Sparrows Fly” article was also published on 20 December 1998, at 4 PM to be precise.
That was almost four months before Judge Augustine Paul sentenced Anwar Ibrahim to six years in jail.
Even if you believe that the date of the original posting was fabricated, Judge Augustine Paul died in 2010 – 8 years before he allegedly penned “I Watch The Sparrows Fly” in 2018.
The only reasonable conclusion we can draw is that “I Watch The Sparrows Fly” was penned by an anonymous writer as a kind of “fan fiction”, which has no basis in fact.
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Dr. Adrian Wong has been writing about tech and science since 1997, even publishing a book with Prentice Hall called Breaking Through The BIOS Barrier (ISBN 978-0131455368) while in medical school.
He continues to devote countless hours every day writing about tech, medicine and science, in his pursuit of facts in a post-truth world.
Find out WHY the YDP Agong CANNOT just appoint Anwar Ibrahim as the interim or caretaker PM of Malaysia!
YDP Agong Asked To Meet Anwar Ibrahim + Muhyiddin Yassin
22 November 2022 will go down in history as a day of great drama, with many news portals falsely claiming that the YDP Agong appointed Anwar Ibrahim as Interim / Caretaker Prime Minister of Malaysia.
The Yang di-Pertuan Agong of Malaysia had earlier given political coalitions and parties up to 2 PM on 22 November 2022 to gain enough support to form a government.
Unfortunately, that 2 PM deadline came and went without any announcement. So the Yang di-Pertuan Agong asked the leaders of the Pakatan Harapan and Perikatan Nasional coalitions to meet him at 4:30 PM.
The media anxiously watched as Anwar Ibrahim and Muhyiddin Yassin entered the National Palace to meet the YDP Agong.
Why Agong CANNOT Appoint Anwar Ibrahim As Interim PM!
That is yet another example of FAKE NEWS created by trigger-happy Malaysian media outlets, and here are the reasons why…
Fact #1 : Many Media Outlets Prematurely Ejaculated
In an effort to beat their rivals, a number of media outlets posted that the YDP Agong appointed Anwar Ibrahim as the interim or caretaker Prime Minister of Malaysia.
It started with Free Malaysia Today (FMT) which claimed that the YDP Agong appointed Anwar Ibrahim as an interim Prime Minister, only to take the article offline shortly after, and posting an apology.
Anwar Perdana Menteri Sementara : Anwar Ibrahim dilantik sebagai Perdana Menteri sementara.
Anwar Is Interim Prime Minister : Anwar Ibrahim was appointed as interim Prime Minister
Then The Vibes claimed on Twitter that Anwar Ibrahim was named the 10th Malaysian Prime Minister.
JUST IN : @anwaribrahim has been named the 10th Malaysian Prime Minister
Even the New Straits Times (NST) posted TWICE that Anwar Ibrahim was appointed, alternately as interim and caretaker Prime Minister!
Anwar Ibrahim appointed interim PM – Party sources | New Straits Times
Anwar Ibrahim appointed caretaker PM | New Straits Times
Melissa Goh from CNA (Channel NewsAsia) also posted on Twitter, that Anwar Ibrahim was appointed as an interim Prime Minister:
JUST IN : Anwar appointed interim PM, he just needs to build his majority : Anwar’s aide
CNA also repeated that claim on TV, also stating that Anwar’s aide was very excited about it.
The truth is – the YDP Agong did not appoint Anwar Ibrahim as the 10th Prime Minister of Malaysia, at least not today – 22 November 2022.
Fact #2 : Anwar Ibrahim Confirmed No Decision On PM Had Been Made
After meeting the YDP Agong, Anwar Ibrahim himself addressed the press outside the National Palace, and stated clearly that no decision has been made on who would be Prime Minister of Malaysia.
I, of course, expressed my gratitude to His Highness, and said that we would do our best and digest his advice, and wait for the final decision, which is of course, at the discretion of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong. There has been no decision [on who would be Prime Minister].
How did FreeMalaysiaToday, The Vibes, NST and CNA announce that Anwar Ibrahim is the 10th Prime Minister of Malaysia, when the man himself said that no decision on that has been made?
Fact #3 : First Group To Exceed 111 MPs Can Form Next Government
The 15th General Election (GE15) resulted in a hung Parliament in Malaysia, with no political coalition or party winning a majority of Parliamentary seats.
Hence, the political parties in Malaysia are anxiously negotiating and bartering with each other… because the first group with at least 112 Members of Parliament will form the next government.
The winning group will then present their new political coalition, and their prime minister candidate, to Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah, for his consent.
Fact #4 : Agong Appoints Prime Minister With Majority MP Support
The Constitution of Malaysia is very clear about how the YDP Agong appoints the Prime Minister of Malaysia.
Under Article 43 (2) (a), the Yang di-Pertuan Agong will appoint a Prime Minister who, in his judgement, is likely to command the confidence of the “majority of the members of [the House of Representative“.
In other words, the YDP Agong can only appoint Anwar Ibrahim as the 10th Prime Minister of Malaysia if he is confident that Anwar Ibrahim has the backing of the majority of the newly-elected Members of Parliament!
Of course, Article 40A (a) stipulates that the YDP Agong “may act in his discretion” on “the appointment of a Prime Minister“.
Even so – the YDP Agong cannot appoint Anwar Ibrahim as an Interim Prime Minister, because there is no provision for such a position in the Constitution!
If the YPD Agong ends up appointing Anwar Ibrahim as the Prime Minister of a minority government, it will be as the Prime Minister of Malaysia, not as an interim Prime Minister.
Fact #5 : Malaysia Already Has A Caretaker Prime Minister
It is also not possible for the YDP Agong to appoint a caretaker Prime Minister, because one already exists!
The previous Prime Minister of Malaysia becomes its caretaker Prime Minister once Parliament is dissolved, and until the next Prime Minister is appointed.
Currently, the caretaker Prime Minister of Malaysia remains Ismail Sabri Yaakob.
Fact #6 : Muhyiddin Yassin Revealed Why Anwar Was Not Appointed As PM
After he left his audience with the YDP Agong, Perikatan Nasional chairman Muhyiddin Yassin revealed that the King suggested that Pakatan Harapan (PH) and Perikatan Nasional (PN) form a unity government.
It is likely the King “suggested” that Anwar Ibrahim would be the Prime Minister of such a unity government.
However, he rejected the suggestion as Perikatan Nasional will not cooperate with Pakatan Harapan.
I was asked to sign a document to state if we agree (to cooperate with PH) I signed the paper but I wrote at the top that we disagree (to work with PH.
Everyone knows why we can’t cooperate with PH. This is our stance before and it is still now. We will not work with Pakatan Harapan.
Because PN rejected the King’s proposal, PH still does not have the requisite number of MPs to form the government.
Hence, as per Article 43 of the Constitution of Malaysia (see Fact #4 above), the YDP Agong cannot appoint Anwar Ibrahim as the 10th Prime Minister of Malaysia.
That is also why the YDP Agong asked to meet all 30 MPs from the Barisan Nasional party tomorrow morning. It is likely that he wants to see if they can be convinced to join PH in forming a unity government.
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Support my work through a bank transfer / PayPal / credit card!
Name : Adrian Wong Bank Transfer : CIMB 7064555917 (Swift Code : CIBBMYKL)
Credit Card / Paypal : https://paypal.me/techarp
Dr. Adrian Wong has been writing about tech and science since 1997, even publishing a book with Prentice Hall called Breaking Through The BIOS Barrier (ISBN 978-0131455368) while in medical school.
He continues to devote countless hours every day writing about tech, medicine and science, in his pursuit of facts in a post-truth world.
Did Zahid Hamidi resign from Barisan Nasional, after the coalition got battered badly in the 15th General Election?!
Take a look at the viral letter, and find out what the facts really are!
Claim : Zahid Hamidi Resigned From Barisan Nasional After GE15 Failure!
Barisan Nasional Chairman Zahid Hamidi has been under pressure to resign, after presiding over the political coalition’s worst performance ever in GE15.
On 23 November 2022, this letter went viral on WhatsApp and social media, claiming purporting to be signed by Zahid Hamidi, after he resigned from Barisan Nasional (my English translation in bold).
Malaysia National Front Chairman
Media Statement
An emergency meeting was held tonight, attended by the main leaders of each Barisan Nasional (BN) coalition party, as well as BN’s top leadership.
Some decisions have also been reached to determine which coalition will be supported by BN, whether Perikatan Nasional (PN) or Pakatan Harapan (PH) tomorrow, 23November 2022.
I also reluctantly wish to resign as BN Chairman and alsoUMNO president to take responsibility for BN’s heavy defeat in the 15th General Election.
Therefore, Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob will assume the position ofChairman of BN and also President of UMNO until the UMNO election which will be held in January 2023.
AHMAD ZAHID HAMIDI
NOVEMBER 22, 2022
Barisan Nasional Malaysia
Pengerusi
Kenyataan Media
Satu mesyuarat tergempar telah di adakan pada malam in dengan di hadiri oleh pemimpin utama setiap parti gabungan Barisan Nasional (BN) dan juga pimpinan tertinggi BN.
Beberapa keputusan juga telah di capai untuk menentukan gaburgan mana yang akan di sokong oleh BN, sama ada Perikatan Nasional (PN) atau Pakatan Harapan (PH) pada esok, 23 November 2022.
Saya juga dengan berat hati ingin meletakkan jawatan sebagai Pengerusi BN dan juga Presiden UMNO atas dasar tanggungjawab di atas kekalahan besar BN pada PRU-15 vang lepas.
Oleh yang demiklan, Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob akan memangku Jawatan sebagai Pengerusi BN dan juga Presiden UMNO sehingga pemilihan UMNO yang akan di adakan pada Januari 2023.
Truth : Zahid Hamidi Did NOT Resign From Barisan Nasional!
That is yet another example of FAKE NEWS circulating on WhatsApp and social media, and here are the reasons why…
Fact #1 : Barisan Nasional Held A Supreme Council Meeting
It is true that Barisan Nasional held a Supreme Council meeting on the night of 22 November 2022, at 9 PM to be exact.
While Barisan Nasional did not announce the outcome of that Supreme Council meeting, it specifically did not mention that Zahid Hamidi resigned as BN Chairman, or UMNO President.
Fact #2 : Zahid Hamidi Labelled The Letter As False
At 1 PM on 23 November 2022, Zahid Hamidi confirmed that the letter was false, and that he was still BN Chairman, and UMNO President (with my English translation in bold).
Please don’t make the situation worse.
The letter that went viral is false and was created by irresponsible people.
Please pray for the best in this situation.
Mohon jangan dikeruhkan lagi keadaan.
Surat yang telah disebarkan seperti berikut adalah palsu dan rekaan manusia yang tidak bertanggungjawab.
Mohon doakan yang terbaik untuk dalam keadaan sekarang ini.
Please WATCH OUT about such FAKE NEWS on WhatsApp and social media. They are designed to reduce voter confidence in the electoral process.
Regardless of what you may read or see on social media, please have faith in the electoral process, which is safeguarded by the Malaysian civil service and many volunteers.
Please Support My Work!
Support my work through a bank transfer / PayPal / credit card!
Name : Adrian Wong Bank Transfer : CIMB 7064555917 (Swift Code : CIBBMYKL)
Credit Card / Paypal : https://paypal.me/techarp
Dr. Adrian Wong has been writing about tech and science since 1997, even publishing a book with Prentice Hall called Breaking Through The BIOS Barrier (ISBN 978-0131455368) while in medical school.
He continues to devote countless hours every day writing about tech, medicine and science, in his pursuit of facts in a post-truth world.
