Scam Texts Aren’t Linked to Sex Trafficking
The Claim
A scam text message that asks the recipient to confirm delivery of a package by clicking a link is used to track recipients for the purpose of sex trafficking.
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Emerging story
In late August/early September 2020, users on social media began sharing the claim, often with #SaveTheChildren and #SaveOurChildren hashtags.
Misbar’s Analysis
Misbar’s investigation found that the claim is false. While the texts are part of a scam to obtain recipients’ personal information, there is no evidence that it is linked to sex trafficking.
Several police departments have issued warnings about the scam, but none of them link it to sex trafficking. Instead, they recommend that recipients report the scam to the Federal Trade Commission.
The Federal Trade Commission website has reported on the scam, which they say is an attempt to get recipients’ credit card numbers.
The scam texts’ link to sex trafficking by social media users appears to be part of the QAnon conspiracy theory. However, it seems highly illogical that scam texts, which are sent out to a vast array of people, would be used to track people for the purposes of sex trafficking.
