It's December, snowflakes are falling quietly. And the hoaxes.
However, while every snowflake is almost unique, an ancient hoax has been floating around on Facebook for years, just in time for this time of year.
Facebook's reminder function may be nice, but unfortunately it also brings up hoaxes like the one above, which was created exactly three years ago.
This is what the picture says:
“A current warning from the police!!!!
Criminals have found a new scam!! In shopping center and Christmas market parking lots, they hand out free women's gloves, supposedly promotional gifts for a new store, to women who are traveling alone.
Women accompanied by men are never given gloves. Tiny needles are sewn into the gloves that pierce the thin skin between the fingers!!!!
Because the needles are so small and thin, you don't notice the stitch.
But there is a drug called “Scopolamine” in the needles!!! This drug is extremely powerful and very small amounts are enough to anesthetize a person. The criminals or accomplices then stalk their victims and wait until the drug begins to take effect.
They then rob their victims or rape them, often both. In some cases, the victims' homes have even been robbed or their cars have been stolen.
Under no circumstances should you accept gloves as gifts from strangers!!!!
This scam has already been observed in various German cities and is known to the police.
Among others in Berlin, Frankfurt, Stuttgart, Mannheim, Ludwigshafen, Bonn, Mainz, Bielefeld, Cologne…etc. Any police station will receive information about such perpetrators.
In an emergency, simply dial 110!!! BE CAREFUL AND PLEASE FORWARD AND SHARE TO EVERYONE!!!”
Current?
This question answers itself. That “current warning” is from 2014, so we can delete that word. But what about the rest of the warning?
Fake news!
In November 2014 the warned Police NRW Hagen already before this fake:
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“FAKE NEWS: “NEEDLE IN THE GLOVE” – ATTENTION!
“There is currently a supposed warning message from the police circulating on Facebook that is intended to unsettle women in particular.
Gloves are said to be given away disguised as promotional gifts at Christmas markets. There are supposed to be tiny needles sewn into it that pierce the wearer's skin without her noticing. The needles supposedly contain a drug called “scopolamine,” which is said to have an anesthetic effect. Later, the victims are supposed to be attacked and/or raped. There is also talk of home break-ins and car thefts. This report is a hoax and definitely does not come from the police.
It serves purely to create uncertainty. Please do not spread such a message online. To clarify, please feel free to share this posting here.
Thank you. Your police Hagen”
So please share not only this ancient hoax, but also this article and/or the official announcement from the NRW Hagen police.
Notes:
1) This content reflects the current state of affairs at the time of publication. The reproduction of individual images, screenshots, embeds or video sequences serves to discuss the topic. 2) Individual contributions were created through the use of machine assistance and were carefully checked by the Mimikama editorial team before publication. ( Reason )