Fact Check: WhatsApp message claiming free laptops would be given to students is a hoax
Free laptop Yojana 2024 was started in different states in their own capacity. Students in these states can
Laptop
Free laptop Yojana 2024 was started in different states in their own capacity. Students in these states can be benefited from the scheme. Laptops are generally given by the states to meritorious college students. Different states like Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, etc. carry on this scheme and provide laptops to the students every year. But before the authentic schemes reach the students, the false messages promising free laptops are more rampant on social media. One such message is being spread virally on WhatsApp along with a link to the website.
A WhatsApp message is in circulation on WhatsApp claiming that free laptops are being given away to the students and will be provided if the students register using the link provided in the message. This message is shared with the title “Free Laptops for Students 2024 edition – Apply online”.
We also found a website that shares the same claim.
Fact Check:
The message is a hoax. It leads to a clickbait website link that is aimed to collect data from the users.
When we clicked on the link provided in the message, the website stated that the application had been received, whereas the application process did not start and we did not enter any necessary details.
Next, the website prompts us to check our eligibility, when clicking on the ‘Check’ button, the user is prompted to enter the name and the purpose for the laptop from a drop-down menu – where the options are ‘Educational Purposes, Business purposes, Other purposes’.
After selecting a purpose and clicking request, a congratulatory message appears which goes “Congratulations, jijug”،
Your Students Support Laptop will be available immediately if you follow the instructions below:
2. Click the "SHARE" button to share this information with 15 friends or 5 groups on WhatsApp so That They Can Also Be Aware of the PROGRAM! "
3. Then click "VALIDATE" after the GREEN verification bar is filled.
4. You will receive a confirmation sms within 15 minutes.”
When we analyzed the website using Virus Total website analysis to verify the authenticity of the website, we found that the website has been flagged as a phishing scam
We also found a fact check published by PIB stating that the message offering free laptops is a scam. It also warns users to be aware of bogus websites offering free laptops never to click on such suspicious links, and to be cautious while sharing personal information.
Therefore, the viral message offering free laptops is a hoax. Please do not believe in such offers and share any personal information, these are clickbait websites with the intention to collect data and may also add suspicious apps to your devices. The claim is False.