Hoaxes, rumors and conspiracies run rampant on social media as it’s a lot easier to click share than it is to think, research and prove something is false.
That’s the case once again as CNN says a rumor has gone viral on Facebook alleging that men in white vans are kidnapping women in the United States for “sex trafficking and to sell their body parts.”
While people with an ounce of sense would know there’s not a nationwide gang of white van owners grabbing women off the street, common sense isn’t common enough.
https://twitter.com/VanessaWBAL/status/1201705043419959296
That’s certainly the case with Baltimore Mayor Jack Young who was being interview on Monday and took the opportunity to warn people about a non-existent threat. Speaking to WBAL, Young said “We’re getting reports of somebody in a white van trying to snatch up young girls for human trafficking and for selling body parts.” He added, “Don’t park near a white van. Make sure that you look at your surroundings and make sure you keep your cellphone [on you] in case somebody tries to abduct you.”
That understandably raised concern as the warning came from a politician, but Young later admitted those ‘reports’ weren’t coming from police. Instead, they came from the Facebook.
When reached for comment, the Baltimore Police Department told the station they were aware of the rumors but no cases have been reported to them.
https://www.facebook.com/jeffrey.cooke/posts/10156983638794403
Due to the nature of the internet, the rumors have spread far and wide and CNN noted the case of Marcel Jackson from Detroit. He told WDIV people act weird around his white work van and, in one case, a woman followed him for miles and eventually asked “Are there any children in your van?”
Needless to say fears over white vans are unfounded. In virtually every case, the vehicle probably belongs to a contractor, a delivery person or someone who just likes their practicality.
https://www.facebook.com/nisha.lovinmefirst/posts/3839913612700661