An array of false or exaggerated claims about supposed human trafficking and kidnapping attempts have spread around the country in recent months. The latest claims a woman in Michigan narrowly avoided being taken by a sex trafficker.
“VERY IMPORTANT WARNING. This happened yesterday near Dearborn Michigan,” reads the start of a Sept. 17 Facebook post that was shared more than 2,600 times in just over a week.
It went on to describe a man stopping in front of a woman’s vehicle, getting out and attempting to reach into her driver’s side door while wearing white gloves. The post claimed a detective later told the victim the gloves have chemicals on them to “knock a person out cold” as part of a sex trafficking attempt.
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But the claimed abduction attempt never happened. Police said no such incident was reported in the area.
USA TODAY reached out to the user who shared the claim for comment.
The Dearborn Police Department issued a statement on Facebook saying the claims were false.
“Please be advised that this is a FAKE post and there are no indications of any actual incident,” said the Sept. 22 post.
The claim was also debunked by numerous local outlets, including The Detroit News and Press and Guide. The latter outlet reported it first circulated on...
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