Does this nationwide warning really exist or is it a fake?
And again we receive inquiries about the dubious free goodies in which a tracking chip is supposed to be installed:

The police are warning nationwide about so-called free goodies, do NOT accept them!
At the moment, many key rings, stickers and tags for cars are being given away at gas stations. Free, as they say!!…
The fact check
The article is specifically about the fact that free key fobs are supposedly handed out at gas stations. A chip is said to be installed in these trailers, which criminals can then use to track their victims. Once they finally find out where the recipient lives, they break into the house.
Once upon a time... and still isn't, because we've been reporting on these dubious keychains since 2012!
This warning is a false report that has been causing mischief in various forms since 2008. It probably has its origins in English-speaking countries. A mutated email that is spread from time to time across all sorts of social networks and is based on a legend.
Background of the legend
The gas station chain Caltex (a brand of the US oil company Chevron) distributed key rings at its gas stations in South Africa 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 over time they also made it to Germany and Austria.
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