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A claim that just won’t die: no, Algerian hacker Hamza Bendelladj has not been executed
Jun 6, 2024
IN SHORT: The claim that famous hacker Hamza Bendelladj was “executed with a smile” has been online since 2016. It was false then, and it's still false in 2024. He has been in a US prison since 2013.
“This is Hamza Bendelladj. Hacked 217 banks and made 4000 million USD. Donated everything to Africa and Palestine. He was executed with a smile.”
Thiseight-year oldzombie claim is againdoing the rounds again onsocial media, includingin Nigeria andSouth Africa, in April and May 2024.
Mostversions of the claimuse a graphic with a photo of a smiling man in handcuffs being escorted by two other men.Another photo shows a similar-looking man, also smiling, with a rope around his neck.
In South Africa, thegraphic was posted on a Facebook page for supporters of the political partyuMkhonto weSizwe, or MK, Party, with the comment: “He was Black conscientised.” The country held general elections on 29 May.
The claim can also be seenhere andhere. (Note: See more instances listed at the end of this report.)
But asfact-checkers have beenpointing out foryears, the financial hackerHamza Bendelladj is alive, although in a US prison. And the man in the noose is not Bendelladj.
Let’s explain.
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Who is Hamza Bendelladj?
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