12 Online Hoaxes That Fooled Millions of People
Here's a look at some of the most shocking online hoaxes that tricked millions into believing they were real.
- Daisy Montero
- 3 min read
The internet has made it easier than ever to spread false information, and some hoaxes have fooled millions before they realized the truth. Some were harmless pranks that gave people a good laugh, while others sparked real panic. Here are some of the biggest online hoaxes that had people completely convinced.
1. The Great Moon Landing Hoax
Neil A. Armstrong on Wikimedia Commons
Some conspiracy theorists convinced millions that the 1969 moon landing was faked. They claimed NASA staged it in a studio, pointing to supposed inconsistencies in the footage. Despite endless debunking, this hoax refuses to die.
2. The Facebook Privacy Notice Scam
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A viral post claimed that users could protect their personal data by copying and pasting a legal-sounding notice. Many fell for it, not realizing that sharing a status does nothing to change Facebook’s policies. This hoax resurfaces every few years.
3. Momo Challenge Panic
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Parents were terrified when rumors spread about a creepy character urging kids to harm themselves. Though widely reported, no actual evidence of Momo-related harm existed. The fear was real, but the challenge itself was not.
4. The Blue Whale Challenge
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Another vital panic claimed that an online game forced teenagers into dangerous tasks leading to self-harm. While authorities took it seriously, investigations found no solid proof of an organized “Blue Whale” group. The hysteria spread faster than the truth.
5. The Justin Bieber Burrito Hoax
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A staged photo of “Justin Bieber” eating a burrito sideways went viral, confusing and amusing the internet. It was later revealed to be a prank by YouTubers, proving how easy it is to trick people online.
6. The Death of Paul McCartney
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A wild humor spread that Paul McCartney died in 1966 and was secretly replaced by a lookalike. Fans analyzed Beatles lyrics and album covers for clues. Despite Paul himself debunking it, the theory remains popular.
7. The Fake Lottery Winner Generosity Hoax
Matt May on Wikimedia
Posts claiming that a lottery winner would give away money to strangers went viral, prompting thousands to share and comment. The catch? The winner never existed. People were fooled by empty promises and false hope.
8. The War of the World’s 1938 Broadcast Hoax
Acme News Photos on Wikimedia Commons
Though not originally an online hoax, this famous radio drama was later exaggerated online, causing nationwide panic. While some listeners were fooled into thinking Martians had landed, the chaos was far smaller than the legend suggests.
9. The Giant Skeleton Discovery Hoax
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A photoshopped image of archaeologists uncovering a giant skeleton went viral, with people claiming it was proof of ancient giants. Despite multiple fact-checks, some still believe it is real.
10. The Crop Circle Alien Theory
NASA Goddard Space Flight Center on Wikimedia Commons
Mysterious crop circles have long been attributed to alien visitors. In reality, many have been proven to be elaborate pranks by humans. That has not stopped believers from insisting extraterrestrials are behind them.
11. The Nigeria Prince Email Scam
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The infamous “Nigerian Prince” email scam has tricked thousands into sending money in hopes of receiving a fortune. Despite being one of the oldest online scams, people still fall for it today.
12. The End of the World Predictions
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Like the 2012 Mayan calendar scare, hoaxes predicting the world’s end spread panic worldwide. Each time, the date comes and goes, proving once again that doomsday predictions are nothing more than fiction.