Fake Letter Alleging Private Bank Promised Funds to Ethiopian Army for Fighting Amhara Rebels

A recent online post circulating on social media claimed that Lion International Bank in Ethiopia pledged two hundred million birr to support the country’s defense forces in their fight against extremist forces in the Amhara region. The post included a screenshot of a letter supposedly from the bank’s Board of Directors to the Ethiopian defense ministry, expressing their commitment to the cause.

However, upon further investigation by AFP Fact Check, it was revealed that the letter was a hoax. A comparison with an authentic letter from the bank’s official Facebook page showed that the fabricated document lacked the watermark of the company’s logo, a key feature of the bank’s official correspondence.

Additionally, the fake letter was dated August 16, 2015, which corresponds to August 22, 2023, in the Gregorian calendar. This date did not align with the timeline of the ongoing conflicts in the region, casting further doubt on the authenticity of the post.

Lion Bank addressed the issue on their official Facebook page, clarifying that the fake letter was based on a message sent to a construction company regarding the termination of a contract. The bank emphasized that individuals with malicious intentions were attempting to deceive their customers by manipulating official documents.

The incident highlights the prevalence of misinformation and the importance of verifying sources before sharing information online. In a region already plagued by conflict and tensions, false reports like these can exacerbate existing problems and sow confusion among the public.