Alarm-inducing reports often mutate, but this report took a really long time!
The following text is currently circulating on Facebook, which is copied again and again: Supposedly there are fraudsters in front of various shops who are handing out free key rings. So far it's okay, but these criminals are supposed to be following a perfidious plan.

The text in full:
"Danger!
Fraudsters are currently standing in front of Coop, Migros & Co and handing out key rings as a “small gift” in which a GPS chip is hidden. Don't accept it under any circumstances!!!
This way the guys (mostly French + Romanian license plates) can see where you live and when you are home or not.
“It’s been broken into several times.”
As is usually the case with such reports, the articles neither mention an exact location nor an exact time when something specific is said to have happened, so this type of scaremongering usually spreads years later.
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Other variations
This message sounds very familiar to us, albeit with slightly different text: We reported on a similar text back in 2012 in 2019 :
Criminal gangs of thieves are currently handing out free key chains at gas stations and public parking lots. These key fobs are equipped with a GPS. The thieves target wealthy-looking people and try to find out where they live. The keychains are well made, look good and for this reason are easily accepted. Please do not accept it and inform your friends.
Also available in this version:
!! A warning to “everyone”!!!
Currently in many places... at gas stations or in parking lots, key rings, small jewelry for the car... etc. are supposedly being sold free of charge. Etc. .. offered!
Do not accept these items!!! There is a chip processed into it. Criminals follow you from the gas station to your home so that they can determine when you are home or not. Then, when you're away, they'll take the opportunity to break in!
According to the police, this way is the work of Romanian criminals!
A new type of crime. The police in Holland have warned “all” citizens about these fraudsters!
Please also inform your friends and acquaintances!
The commonality is clear: it's always about key fobs with GPS, which are supposedly distributed by criminals so that they know where you live.
It's a hoax!
Basically a classic that has been around for ten years in various versions and is now being spread with new alleged crime scenes.
The hoax probably originated in English-speaking countries and was distributed via email at the time. It's that old, older than Facebook, but it'll definitely come back because, after all, the Internet never forgets.
Background of the legend
The gas station chain Caltex (a brand of the US oil company Chevron) in 2008 to advertise its premium diesel fuel.
The first rumors soon emerged about what mysterious functions it might have. This gave rise to the legends that emerged in the USA in 2010 and also made it to Germany and Austria in 2012.
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Conclusion
As early as 2012, the police denied that this method was known and practiced, and these ominous key rings have never appeared anywhere, let alone that a criminal has been caught or a victim has come forward.
It's just an old hoax in a new guise!
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