Viral text messages proliferated rapidly throughout Nigeria yesterday claiming that picking up phone calls from the number "09141" will result in "instant death." The messages further claimed that between seven and ten people had already died as a result answering such calls.
Here's an example:
Please, don't pick any call with 09141 its instant death after the call, 7 people have died already.please tell others fast,its urgent.
Nigerian Communications Commission spokesman Reuben Muoka dismissed the rumors, which he attributed to "unscrupulous persons," as false.
"Technically, it is not possible for such a thing to happen because even the voice that you receive at the other end of the phone undergoes many conversions," he said. "It is therefore unimaginable that somebody will die while receiving a call. It is only very gullible people that will believe such a rumor."
Similar falsehoods circulated in Nigeria seven years ago, resurfacing several times since in Asia, the Middle East, and elsewhere in Africa. Last year the rumor sparked a panic in Kenya.
Read more about it:
• Urban Legends: 'Killer Phone Number' Warnings
• Nigeria: Panic Over Death Through GSM Calls
• Nigerians Reassured Over 'Killer Phone Number' Fears
Comments
How can I effectively go about starting one of these? I have a spammer that texts me often and I would love to start a rumor like this for them!
The rumor is 2rue,bcos acording 2 the research i did shows dat its a chemical combination wit the frequency which manipulate the brain wen u answer the kal,9ja becareful,all i knw is dat GOD PASS DEM;-(.
Dude, speak English, so we can laugh all the easier at your gullible silliness. You too, Karvel.
Funny, now quit faking to be stupid you troll
I dont know how it happens bt i have seen sumbody in my town after receiving a call from the number
Yeah, there’s an App for that…
I neva believe d rumour until my cousin pick the 6 digit strange number, she waz instructed to press 3 bt she cut d call, after droping the call, she ran mad instantly, only Thanks 2 God for reviving her life back. So you don’t tell us its not real cus i say its real
the mentality of some people is just too much!