Suspicious Halloween Candy Purchases at Costco
Netlore Archive: Did a person or persons of Arab descent buy thousands of dollars worth of candy at New Jersey Costco stores one month after 9/11?
Description: Email rumor
Circulating since: Oct. 2001
Status: Partly true / Misleading
Example #1:
Email text contributed by Christina D., Oct. 18, 2001:
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hey guys..i know there has been alot of bull going on about the attacks and what-not, but i just personally found out through a police deparment that the FBI has taken over an investigation in our area. Arabs bought thousands of dollars worth of candy at a local costco store..well, whats right around the corner???Halloween!! BE CAREFUL! I know most of us are not gonna be going aroung trick or treating, but there is always candy floating around offices and schools this time of year!! |
Example #2:
Email text contributed by Tammy M., Oct. 18, 2001:
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Guys be careful a notice just came to me from someone that works in costco 2 Arabic guys bought more than $35,000.00 dollars worth of candy, in Wayne 15,000.00 & in Hackensack 20,0000.00 after they left they found out their Costco i.d was fake, & they paid the whole thing cash. the F.B.I. was notified just be careful with your kids for trick o' treating on Halloween!!! i just thought u wanted to know that. have a nice day : )!!! DON"T LET THOSE KIDS GO OUT FOR HALLOWEEN !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! |
Analysis: (See update below) Some of what is reported above is true, but despite the alarmist tone of these warnings there is no credible evidence of a threat to public safety.
What we know to be factual, based on FBI statements and news reports, is the following:
- The FBI is investigating the purchase of "large quantities" of candy from Costco stories in Hackensack and Wayne, New Jersey.
- An unidentified man who made the purchase in Hackensack is already in federal custody for unrelated reasons having to do with immigration.
- The FBI says it's "premature" to conclude anything about the purchaser's intentions.
- According to an unnamed Costco official, large purchases of candy aren't uncommon this time of year.
- The FBI says it has no evidence or information to justify canceling scheduled Halloween events and encourages the public "to remain alert but calm."
What we don't know to be true from credible sources as of this writing are allegations that: there was more than one purchaser; that the purchasers were of Arab descent; that fake ID was used; and that the purchases totalled more than $35,000.
Most importantly, we don't know the veracity of what's implied in these rumors, namely that the purchases may be part of a terrorist plot to use tampered-with candy to attack U.S. citizens — children, no less — on Halloween.
Following on the heels of another rumor to the effect that shopping malls across the U.S. will be the focus of Halloween terrorist attacks, this new potential threat, credible or not, doesn't bode well for the October 31 holiday. Traditionally a time when Americans celebrate by playfully evoking imaginary horrors like ghosts, goblins and witches, Halloween 2001 is slowly but surely becoming the focus of real, palpable fear.
Update 10/22/01: The FBI said on Monday, October 22 that the individual who bought "large quantities" of candy in Hackensack and Wayne, New Jersey is not suspected of terrorist activity.
It was one person, not two, who bought the candy, the Bergen Record reported on Monday, and the total amount of the purchases was $15,000, not $35,000. Neither the man's identity nor his nationality has been revealed.
An FBI spokesperson said, "We do not have any evidence that suggests that the purchases of these items was not for legitimate purposes." In fact, the buyer is a wholesaler who purchased the candy to resell it.
The FBI also stressed that the public will be notified of any credible health or safety threats the agency becomes aware of.
New variant: A newer variant of the rumor is blatanly false, alleging that the FBI believes the candy purchases to be instrumental in a terrorist plot.
Sources and updates:
Large Candy Purchases Investigated by the FBI
Bergen Record, 20 October 2001FBI: Candy Purchases Seem Legitimate
Bergen Record, 22 October 2001$15,000 Candy Buy Intended for Resale
Bergen Record, 23 October 2001Police: Don't Fear Returned Candy
Associated Press, 23 October 2001
Related:
Terrorism Rumors & Hoaxes
Coverage of rumors and Net hoaxes in the wake of Sept. 11 terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center and Pentagon
