Post · bonfire.cafe

This is a public service announcement for all the dollar-store Sherlock Holmes’s out there who clearly have nothing better to do than to concoct conspiracy theories about people from Gaza on the fediverse who are faced with genocide and famine:

Stop.

Have some humanity.

Case in point, do not do what Daniel (@helmet91@mastodon.social) is doing here:

https://mastodon.social/@helmet91/115158104880965232

Here’s someone going out of their way to discredit Nouran and her brother Yousef (@NouranKhaledGh). I’ve spoken with Nouran and Yousef over video on Signal and we’ve verified them on:

https://gaza-verified.org

They are real. They are from Gaza. I’m in touch with them daily. They haven’t been able to evacuate yet.

They need your help.

And what is Daniel doing? Examining bloody shadows in video footage like some tinfoil-hat conspiracy theorist attempting to disprove that the moon landings ever happened.

And writing blog posts about it:

https://helmet91.com/post/how-not-to-get-scammed

Stop it, Daniel. Stop and think about what you’re doing.

This isn’t some computer game.

These are real people. Who are in danger. And need our help. And you’re not helping.

PS. You can show your love and support for Nouran, her brother Yousef, and their whole family by following her here: @NouranKhaledGh, sending some words of solidarity, donating to their fundraiser, and sharing it so others can help too.

#Gaza #Palestine #GazaVerified #conspiracyTheories #fediAid

Aral Balkan @aral@mastodon.ar.al
Replying to @helmet91 2m

These people are literally faced with genocide and famine and you're out here acting like a dollar-store Sherlock Holmes.

I've told you several times now that l've had live video conversations over Signal with Nouran and her brother Yousef.

I don't know what your problem is but what you're doing by spreading this FUD is deplorable. I just saw that you wrote this blog post also: helmet91.com/post/how-not-to-g...

Congratulations, you are slandering people who are trying to survive genocide and famine.

Please think long and hard about what you're doing here.
How not to get scammed
Give yourself a chance before you become a prey.
helmet91.com
Analysis of a donation fraud
and the lessons learned — Aral Balkan @aral@mastodon.ar.al Replying to @helmet91 2m These people are literally faced with genocide and famine and you're out here acting like a dollar-store Sherlock Holmes. I've told you several times now that l've had live video conversations over Signal with Nouran and her brother Yousef. I don't know what your problem is but what you're doing by spreading this FUD is deplorable. I just saw that you wrote this blog post also: helmet91.com/post/how-not-to-g... Congratulations, you are slandering people who are trying to survive genocide and famine. Please think long and hard about what you're doing here. How not to get scammed Give yourself a chance before you become a prey. helmet91.com Analysis of a donation fraud and the lessons learned

Daniel to @aral
While I appreciate the initiative and the intent behind it, I must point out, that there's at least one account in the list that is proven to be using Al-generated footage for their verification video. This raises doubts about the methodologies used for proving authenticity before accepting anyone on this website.
I'd like to encourage everyone to prefer trusted organizations for donations, such as the Global Sumud Flotilla or UNRWA or others.

Aral to @helmet91 and @palestine
What are you taking about? There is no "verification video." Which account are you talking about and what is this proof you purport to have?
I've *personally* had video chats over Signal with all four of the people verified on the site currently and I am in touch with them daily.

Daniel to @aral
Video in Nouran's pinned post: shadows are inconsistently cast in every direction in the ruins in the background - one of the hallmarks of Al imagery. In the Al era l'm afraid, video calls on their own are no proof anymore.

Aral to @helmet91

I know Nouran uses ChatGPT for translations. I don't know what they used for the videos they posted. But I do know I've chatted to her and her brother *live* over video on Signal.

Daniel @helmet91 to @aral
I mean, they're not supposed to use anything but a camera for a video that is meant for proving their authenticity. — Daniel to @aral While I appreciate the initiative and the intent behind it, I must point out, that there's at least one account in the list that is proven to be using Al-generated footage for their verification video. This raises doubts about the methodologies used for proving authenticity before accepting anyone on this website. I'd like to encourage everyone to prefer trusted organizations for donations, such as the Global Sumud Flotilla or UNRWA or others. Aral to @helmet91 and @palestine What are you taking about? There is no "verification video." Which account are you talking about and what is this proof you purport to have? I've *personally* had video chats over Signal with all four of the people verified on the site currently and I am in touch with them daily. Daniel to @aral Video in Nouran's pinned post: shadows are inconsistently cast in every direction in the ruins in the background - one of the hallmarks of Al imagery. In the Al era l'm afraid, video calls on their own are no proof anymore. Aral to @helmet91 I know Nouran uses ChatGPT for translations. I don't know what they used for the videos they posted. But I do know I've chatted to her and her brother *live* over video on Signal. Daniel @helmet91 to @aral I mean, they're not supposed to use anything but a camera for a video that is meant for proving their authenticity.

stony kark

@aapis@mastodon.world replied · 3 weeks ago

@aral @NouranKhaledGh if someone seems fishy, don’t send that person your money 🤷‍♂️

Severák

@severak@tiny.tilde.website replied · 3 weeks ago

@aral @NouranKhaledGh just small note: some random guy from Gaza added me on facebook and later asked for donation on his gofundme. Because today scams are everywhere I was thinking about how to verify if he is actually from Gaza and not from some Maynmar scam center.
I did not wanted to ruin his battery on video call so I finally set up this scheme - I set up script on my website which basically showed client headers and asked him for screenshot. His IP was in Palestine.

Nouran 🍉

@NouranKhaledGh@mastodon.social replied · 3 weeks ago

@aral

I tried many times to interact with him via messages.

I decided to neglect him because when I asked him about what kind of proof should I provide, he didn't respond.

I'm really asking what kind of proof should I provide? I had a video call with Aral. I uploaded a video showing our area (the pinned post).

I don't have problem with people who have some doubts. But my problem is that the people who casting doubts without giving a chance to hear!

Aral Balkan

@aral@mastodon.ar.al replied · 3 weeks ago

@NouranKhaledGh Nouran, you don’t have to do anything.

It’s not your job to placate every conspiracy theorist out there with a crackpot theory and more time than sense on their hands.

Please just concentrate on your studies and on staying safe.

I hope your family will be able to move South soon (if that’s what you’re planning).

Are donations coming in? How much do you need to be able to move? Please let us know what you need and we will do our best to help.

My love to you, to Yousef (who I’m chatting with on Signal right now), and to your whole family.

💕

Nouran 🍉

@NouranKhaledGh@mastodon.social replied · 3 weeks ago

@aral

Yes Alhamdullah. A lot of kind people donated in the previous 10 days.

Ribal transferred money for us two days ago. I think we now have money if we decide to move. Alhamdullah ♥️♥️ thanks for Allah and for the help of the great people.

Lots of love from my family 😍

Aral Balkan

@aral@mastodon.ar.al replied · 3 weeks ago

@NouranKhaledGh That is so wonderful to hear, Nouran. It makes me so happy 💕

Nouran 🍉

@NouranKhaledGh@mastodon.social replied · 3 weeks ago

@aral Thank you Aral 😍

Daniel

@helmet91@mastodon.social replied · 3 weeks ago

@aral I've pointed out a very obvious sign of AI-generated footage of one of these profiles. I also told you that video calls cannot serve as proof, especially if you go at it without a strategy. I'm absolutely sure Nouran is a fake account, which makes your gaza-verified initiative questionable. I'll say again, there could be ways to make this better, with a strategy. But even then you'll never really be able to verify their authenticity.

Aral Balkan

@aral@mastodon.ar.al replied · 3 weeks ago

@helmet91 You are spreading a crackpot conspiracy theory based on your amateur forensics and harming actual people who are facing genocide and famine.

You should be ashamed of yourself.

Since you clearly have no intention to stop, I am blocking you. And I suggest anyone with a conscience does the same.