This is AI generated summarization, which may have errors. For context, always refer to the full article.
The ad links to a deceptive page mimicking GMA News Online and features a fabricated interview between internet personality Reymond delos Reyes and financial guru Chinkee Tan
Claim: According to a GMA News Online report, financial guru Chinkee Tan was arrested over his statements promoting cryptocurrency during an interview with internet personality Reymond delos Reyes.
Rating: FALSE
Why we fact-checked this: A link to the supposed GMA News Online website can be found as a sponsored ad in an October 8 post on the Facebook page “Alpha N.” The post also shows Tan purportedly being apprehended.
The Facebook post link states “GMANETWORK.COM” and clicking it leads to a website with the GMA logo on the upper left. The site shows an alleged interview between Delos Reyes and Tan.
According to the article, the Central Bank of the Philippines sued Tan after the latter supposedly promoted a cryptocurrency platform.
The bottom line: The website used in the claim is fake; it is not an actual website of GMA Network. The correct URL of GMA Network is “https://www.gmanetwork.com/.” The deceptive website, meanwhile, begins with “https://internalspark.com/.”
Denied: On October 10, GMA News Online published an article warning the public about the fake page. Delos Reyes also addressed the issue in an October 3 Facebook post, saying neither he nor Tan is promoting any cryptocurrency platform. He added that the scam involved the “alteration of messages” in a previous interview between him and Tan.
In an October 3 article by Inquirer.net, Tan said claims that he was arrested are false, and that he has taken legal action against the misleading advertisements using his name.
Previous related fact-checks: Both Rappler and PressOne.PH have debunked posts that use a deceptive website to promote cryptocurrency platforms. These websites typically feature fabricated interviews with personalities such as Megaworld chair Andrew Tan, businessman Enrique Razon, and business tycoon Lance Gokongwei.
Rappler has also fact-checked several claims using fake application links or websites:
– Percival Bueser/ Rappler.com
Percival Bueser is a graduate of Rappler’s fact-checking mentorship program. This fact check was reviewed by a member of Rappler’s research team and a senior editor. Learn more about Rappler’s fact-checking mentorship program here.
Keep us aware of suspicious Facebook pages, groups, accounts, websites, articles, or photos in your network by contacting us at [email protected]. You may also report dubious claims to #FactsFirstPH tipline by messaging Rappler on Facebook or Newsbreak via Twitter direct message. You may also report through our Viber fact check chatbot. Let us battle disinformation one Fact Check at a time.
