Death Scams and Hoaxes
Links to reports that discuss false claims about the deaths or injuries of celebrities or famous people.
Looking for reports published before 2016? Click here to view an archive of death scam and hoax reports on the legacy Hoax-Slayer website.
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Death Scams and HoaxesFake-News
George Zimmerman Targeted In Another Death Hoax
by Brett M. Christensen July 1, 2017According to a “breaking news” post that is currently traversing the interwebs at speed, George Zimmerman has been found dead.
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Death Scams and HoaxesFake-News
Fake-News Report Claims Casey Anthony Found Dead
by Brett M. Christensen June 27, 2017According to a report circulating rapidly via social media, Casey Anthony has been found dead.
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Death Scams and HoaxesHoaxes
Clint Eastwood Is NOT Dead — Death Hoax Spreading Rapidly
by Brett M. Christensen June 21, 2017Posts claiming that veteran actor Clint Eastwood has died are circulating rapidly via social media.
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Death Scams and Hoaxes
Imelda Marcos is NOT Dead But Death Rumours Continue Circulating
by Brett M. Christensen June 10, 2017Since May 2017, rumours about the death of former First Lady of the Philippines Imelda Marcos have again been circulating via Facebook and Twitter.
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Death Scams and HoaxesSpecial Features
Caution! Check Before Clicking on That “Dead Celebrity” Post
by Brett M. Christensen December 9, 2016Internet messages that falsely claim that a celebrity has died have been around for many a long year. In earlier times, these messages tended to be just silly poor-taste hoaxes that posed no real security threat to recipients. But, alas, the modern incarnations of these fake death messages tend to be considerably more sinister.
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Death Scams and HoaxesFake-News
Beyonce is NOT Dead – Fake-News Beyonce Death Post Open Scam Websites
by Brett M. Christensen November 7, 2016Circulating social media post claims that popular entertainer Beyonce has committed suicide after having dinner with Jay Z and Nicki Minaj.
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Death Scams and HoaxesFake-News
Fake “Donald Trump Cardiac Arrest” Posts Link to Scam Websites
by Brett M. Christensen October 6, 2016Circulating “breaking news” posts claim that Donald Trump has suffered from a cardiac arrest and died while addressing the public. The posts include an image apparently depicting Trump collapsed on the stage floor after the heart attack.
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Death Scams and HoaxesFake-NewsScams
Brad Pitt is NOT Dead – Clicking Death Post Opens Scam Websites
by Brett M. Christensen September 22, 2016“Breaking news” post circulating via social media claims that popular US actor Brad Pitt has been found dead. The post purports to be from Fox News.
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Death Scams and HoaxesFake-News
Miley Cyrus is NOT Dead – Bogus Death Posts Lead to Clickbait Fake-News Website
by Brett M. Christensen September 6, 2016“News” posts circulating via social media claim that popular American singer and actress Miley Cyrus has been found dead at her Hollywood home.