Description: Viral wall posting / Facebook hoax
Circulating since: Nov. 2011
Status: False
Text example #1:
As posted on Facebook, Nov. 14, 2011:
A 14 years old boy got beaten half dead by his stepfather. He only tried to protect his little sister from being raped. Now he's struggling for his life, but doctors say he won't make it without a surgery. His mother doesn't have money to pay it. Facebook donates 45 cents for every sharing or reposting. Please help.
Text example #2:
As posted on Facebook (w/o image), Oct. 28, 2011:
14 YEAR OLD BOY WAS SHOT 6 TIMES BY HIS STEPFATHER, THIS BOY WAS PROTECTING HIS LITTLE 2 YEAR OLD SISTER WHO WAS ABOUT TO BE RAPED BY THIS POOR EXCUSE OF A MAN. THE LITTLE GIRL DID NOT GET HURT THANKS TO HER BRAVE OLDER BROTHER. THEIR MOM WAS AT WORK WHEN ALL THIS HAPPENED. NOW THIS BRAVE YOUNG MAN IS FIGHTING FOR HIS LIFE, BUT DOCTORS SAY HE WILL NOT SURVIVE UNLESS HE GETS AN OPERATION WHICH IS VERY COSTFUL AND WHICH HIS MOM CANNOT PAY. ALL FACEBOOK COMPANIES HAVE AGREED TO DONATE 45 CENTS FOR EVERY TIME SOMEONE POSTS THIS TO THEIR WALL, SO PLEASE PASTE AND PASS THIS ON SO THAT TOGETHER WE CAN HELP SAVE THIS BOYS LIFE
Analysis: The injured child isn't named, no date or location is specified, indeed this posting contains no corroborating information whatsoever, yet we're supposed to believe Facebook has promised to donate 45 cents every time it's shared.
What isn't wrong with this picture?
Like previous viral postings claiming companies or charities will donate a specific amount of money each time someone forwards or shares the plea, this message is a hoax. Facebook has announced no such commitment. Reputable organizations don't use chain letters to distribute charitable funds.
As to the image of the alleged victim, it appears to have been stolen from a May 19, 2010 article in the Czech tabloid newspaper Blesk about what is described as a criminal attack on a 13-year-old boy by multiple assailants in Teplice, Czech Republic.
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Last updated 05/15/12
