This approximately 2-year-old boy was found… See more
A viral post on Facebook that is circulating within community groups alleges that a young child, who appears to be bruised, was discovered alone by a courageous officer named “Deputy Tyler Cooper,” who is currently attempting to locate the child’s family. The post includes images of the injured child and employs emotional language to encourage widespread sharing. Although it may appear to be a sincere request for assistance, authorities have verified that the narrative is entirely false.
Police departments across the UK, such as West Mercia Police and Norfolk Constabulary, have publicly denied the claims made in the post. West Mercia Police clarified that no such event took place in Hereford and that there is no officer by that name within their ranks. Similarly, Norfolk Constabulary confirmed that no comparable incident occurred in King’s Lynn and noted that the title “deputy” is not even a rank utilized in their organization, clearly indicating that the entire account is fabricated.
This situation is not merely an isolated hoax; it is part of an escalating trend of online scams. These posts are deliberately crafted to go viral by eliciting strong emotional responses, only to be modified later. Once a sufficient number of individuals have shared them, scammers alter the content to promote dubious products, questionable websites, or affiliate links intended to generate revenue for the original poster.
Common tactics employed by these scams include directing users to fraudulent cashback offers, dubious real estate schemes, or malicious affiliate sites. These scams exploit people’s empathy, leveraging their good intentions as instruments for disseminating misinformation or driving traffic to deceitful pages.
To safeguard yourself and others, it is essential to verify emotional or viral posts prior to sharing. Seek out official statements from reputable news sources or local law enforcement agencies. Exercise caution with posts that resurface in various locations, have disabled comments, or exhibit signs of having been edited after gaining viral attention.
Remaining vigilant and well-informed is crucial in the fight against online misinformation. Do not allow your compassion to be manipulated by scammers aiming to take advantage of your trust and goodwill.