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Crime Warnings

Close up perspective shot of someone exchanging a blank business card with a person in a grey suit

Posts claim business cards are being laced with burundanga. That's impossible

Written by: Emery Winter

Nov. 2, 2025

Social media posts framed as a "police warning" directed towards women were vague chain messages ...

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Close-up of the hands of two figures passing a business card between each other

Posts warning of business cards drugged with burundanga don't pass the smell test

Written by: Emery Winter

Oct. 2, 2025

A warning spread through social media posts incorrectly describes how burundanga, a drug often u ...

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Watch out for rumor thieves are using perfume bottles to leave victims unconscious

Written by: Joey Esposito

Sept. 7, 2025

An urban legend Snopes first debunked in 2000 recently resurfaced.

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No, Criminals Are Not Using Drugged Perfume to Rob People

Written by: Joey Esposito

Jan. 20, 2025

The widespread internet rumor has been frightening readers since the late '90s.

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What We Know About 'Robert Thibodeau' Serial Killer Hoax on Facebook

Written by: Jordan Liles

Dec. 4, 2024

The Facebook posts aimed to grab readers' attention to help the scam work.

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Abandoned Plastic Bottles May Be 'Drano Bombs'?

Written by: Taija PerryCook

Sept. 19, 2024

Homemade bombs made of aluminum foil and popular drain cleaner Drano have posed a threat to publ ...

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Abandoned Plastic Soda Bottles May Be Drano 'Bottle Bombs'?

Written by: David Mikkelson

April 27, 2010

A viral alert warns about neighborhood residents finding unexploded Drano "bottle bombs" in thei ...

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Hand holding mobile phone against dark background

'Can You Hear Me?' Scam Warning

Written by: Kim LaCapria

Jan. 27, 2017

Dozens of news outlets reported on a purported scam wherein fraudsters supposedly falsify charge ...

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teens playing spunkball

Are Teens Throwing Lit Gas-Soaked Rags Into Cars?

Written by: Barbara Mikkelson David Mikkelson

March 1, 2000

Horribly spelled warnings about homicidal teens playing "spunkball" began turning up on the inte ...

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note on car windshield

Omaha Carjacking

Written by: David Mikkelson

Jan. 27, 2009

Criminals in Omaha are distracting drivers with decoys and notes left on windshields?

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Nature, Outdoors, Snow

Are Traffickers Leaving Zip Ties on Targets' Windshield Wipers?

Written by: Bethania Palma

Dec. 2, 2019

Awareness of one's surroundings is always good, but scarelore can also lead to unwarranted fears.

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Are Texts Saying 'A Friend Has Complimented You in IRL' Linked to Sex Trafficking?

Written by: Dan Evon

Aug. 28, 2018

Not every unsolicited communication is an attempt to target victims for sex trafficking rings.

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Do Thieves Use Trash to Case Homes for Expensive Christmas Presents?

Written by: Kim LaCapria

Dec. 27, 2016

Although concealing boxes for big-ticket items is never a bad idea, no evidence suggests that fl ...

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Are Thieves Stealing License Plates in a Carjacking Scheme?

Written by: Kim LaCapria

Dec. 21, 2016

No, carjackers are not lying in wait to steal your license plates before stealing your car.

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Bandits Posing as Gas Company Workers

Written by: Kim LaCapria

Dec. 19, 2016

Some social media users may have been too young to get a somewhat obvious joke about "bandits" a ...

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'Purple Paint' Trespass Warning

Written by: Dan Evon

Sept. 7, 2016

Information about 'purple paint' trespass warning laws in some states is often shared under misl ...

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Darboy Walmart Abduction Warning

Written by: Kim LaCapria

Aug. 8, 2016

Darboy, Wisconsin, is the latest location where human traffickers are purportedly engaging in co ...

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Pokemon Go Caused a Fatal Crash in Knoxville?

Written by: Kim LaCapria

July 22, 2016

A man was tragically killed in a wrong way crash near Knoxville, but police say there's no indic ...

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Warning: Kay Jewelers Free Ring Gift

Written by: Kim LaCapria

July 20, 2016

Another rumor about human traffickers has been spread on Facebook, this one involving lures of f ...

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Rochester/Silver Lake Park Abduction Warning

Written by: Kim LaCapria

July 11, 2016

Police in Rochester, Minnesota, say no reports were received of attempted kidnappings during a f ...

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