While USAID has provided billions of dollars in aid to Ukraine since Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022, a widely circulated photo showing stacks of banknotes in a room has been falsely claimed to depict USAID money found in the home of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. The image quickly gained traction on social media, sparking widespread reactions. However, a Google Reverse Image search confirms that this claim is misleading.
Social Media Claim
A photo showing stacks of banknotes has gone viral on X, accompanied by the claim that these funds, supposedly from USAID, were found at Zelensky’s house. The image has been widely shared and discussed, with many X users believing it as true.
The same photo, along with the identical claim, has also been observed and shared by another user on X (formerly Twitter). This repetition underscores the viral nature of the false claim, as it continues to spread across multiple platforms.
The claim being circulated states, “USAID found at Zelensky’s house,” but this assertion is unfounded and misleading, as the image in question has been publicly available since 2007, linked to a drug cash seizure in Mexico, not any connection to Ukraine or USAID.
Given the claim’s extensive dissemination and the considerable attention, it has received from the internet community, we believed it was necessary to perform a fact-check on the above subject.
Fact Check
Fact Crescendo checked and verified these images using a Google Reverse Image Search, which led to the following findings.
According to the Seattle Post-Intelligencer, the image circulating online, which has been mistakenly linked to a recent claim involving Ukraine, was first published in 2007.
The photo originally accompanied a report detailing a major drug seizure in Mexico, where U.S. drug agents, working alongside Mexican police, uncovered $206 million in drug profits.
This money was hidden in walls, suitcases, and closets in one of Mexico City’s wealthiest neighborhoods, marking the largest drug cash seizure ever.
For more information and specifics regarding this article, you can find the details below.
Seattle Post-Intelligencer | Archived Link
According to a news release issued by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), they also shared the exact same photo of stacks of banknotes in a room. The DEA clarified that the money shown in the image was part of a historic drug cash seizure in Mexico City back in 2007. The operation, conducted by U.S. drug enforcement agents in collaboration with Mexican authorities, led to the confiscation of $206 million in illicit funds, which were proceeds from methamphetamine trafficking.
Drug Enforcement Administration | Archived Link
Fact Crescendo has also found that the above photo was published by the Financial Transparency Coalition, an organization dedicated to promoting global financial transparency and accountability. The image, which has been misattributed in various misleading claims online, has no connection to Ukraine or USAID. The Financial Transparency Coalition shared the photo in a completely different context, unrelated to any political narrative surrounding Ukraine.
For more information and specifics regarding this article, you can find the details below.
Financial Transparency Coalition | Archived Link
USAID, the U.S. government’s agency for foreign assistance, has provided substantial aid to Ukraine in governance, economic development, and defense. However, the widely circulated claim that stacks of banknotes shown in a viral photo were USAID funds found in President Zelenskyy’s home is unfounded. No credible evidence links USAID money to his personal finances.
According to a recent CNN article, USAID is undergoing significant changes due to recent administrative decisions. President Donald Trump, backed by Elon Musk, has initiated efforts to dismantle the agency as part of a broader plan to reduce federal staffing and address perceived inefficiencies. This move has resulted in the suspension of numerous foreign aid programs and the furloughing of thousands of employees.
CNN News Report | Archived Link
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Conclusion
Fact Crescendo has found the claim and found it misleading. The image depicted a massive drug cash seizure, uncovering $206 million in drug profits hidden in one of Mexico City’s wealthiest neighborhoods, dating back to 2007, and has no connection to Ukraine or USAID.
Title:False Claim Says USAID Fund Discovered in Ukrainian Leader’s Residence
Fact Check By: Kakada SimResult: False
