Disinfo: The coronavirus disinformation campaign is the beginning of the heist of the century

Summary

The current disinformation campaign accompanying the coronavirus pandemic is the beginning of the “heist of the century”. As a result of this con, assets and savings of many nations, companies and individuals will end up in the hands of the current oligarchy, more specifically hundreds of the richest and most powerful families. The substantial portion of global wealth they already own will only increase as the rich always want more.

Disproof

An unfounded conspiracy theory, sharing a recurring pro-Kremlin narrative about "secret elites" controlling world leaders. The novel coronavirus, which cases the COVID-19 disease, belongs to a family of viruses originating in animals that include others such as SARS and MERS. It was first reported in the city of Wuhan in central China in late 2019 and has been rapidly spreading across the world, with cases being reported in 190 countries, territories and areas. The number of COVID-19 cases has surpassed 777,000 globally with over 37,000 deaths as of 31 March 2020. See more examples of pro-Kremlin disinformation about the coronavirus here.

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journal-neo.org (Archived)
  • Reported in: Issue 190
  • DATE OF PUBLICATION: 29/03/2020
  • Outlet language(s) English
  • Countries and/or Regions discussed in the disinformation: US
  • Keywords: coronavirus, Conspiracy theory
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Disinfo: US sends humanitarian aid to terrorists in Syria

The United States is planning to send aid to extremists in Syria under the umbrella of humanitarian assistance while the coronavirus crisis is spreading. The extremists are hiding among refugees in the Rukban camp, located in an area close to the US-run al-Tanf military base near the Jordanian and Iraqi borders despite Washington’s commitment to withdraw from Syria. US forces are still present in various parts of the country without permission by the United Nations or Damascus.

Mar 28, 2020
Disproof

Recurring disinformation narrative claiming that the US is supporting or working together with terrorists in the Middle East. The situation in the Rukban refugee camp has been deteriorating steadily over the last 5 years. The rapid deterioration in the lives of refugees is well documented. It has been at the centre of a geopolitical gridlock since Russia decided to intervene in Syria to assist the regime of Bashar al-Assad. The regime has placed the camp under siege as it considers it a safe haven for rebels and thousands of refugees have fled over the last few months.

Disinfo: One cause of Coronavirus: Gay marriage

One of the most egregious things that caused the spread of this [coronavirus] epidemic is the legalisation [of gay marriage].

Mar 28, 2020
Disproof

Conspiracy theory about the 2019-nCoV coronavirus mixed in with another popular pro-Kremlin disinformation theme of the moral degradation of the West.

See more examples of pro-Kremlin disinformatiomn about the coronavirus, including claims that Bill Gates and George Soros are sponsoring it, that it is a UK, US or NATO creation and that the Americans have its cure, that it is an artificial disease which specifically targets Chinese DNA, that it was created with economic goals while big pharma companies are spreading panic for their own profit, that it is a biological weapon against Russia and China, that it will wipe out Ukraine’s population in a few days or that it was predicted by Nostradamus and others.

Disinfo: US sanctions contribute to coronavirus pandemic

US sanctions against Russia and Iran contribute to the spread of coronavirus and create a humanitarian catastrophe. Coronavirus deaths are on the US’ conscience.

Mar 28, 2020
Disproof

Another pro-Kremlin narrative, which is not supported by facts. In a statement issued on March 23, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said that such "fabrications" put Iranians and people around the world at greater risk. He also reiterated that US sanctions did not target imports of food, medicine, or other humanitarian goods. The United States imposed sanctions on Russian persons (individuals, entities, and vessels) in response to Russia’s illegal annexation of Crimea, its invasion of eastern Ukraine, election meddling, malicious cyber-enabled activities, human rights abuses, use of a chemical weapon, weapons proliferation, illicit trade with North Korea and support to Syria and Venezuela. In the past six years, the United States has imposed more than 70 rounds of sanctions on Russian individuals and companies, but these sanctions, as well as sanctions on Iran, have nothing to do with the spread of coronavirus.