14 Internet Hoaxes That Everyone Believed

These internet hoaxes show how quickly misinformation can spread online, tricking millions into believing the unbelievable.

  • Alyana Aguja
  • 4 min read
14 Internet Hoaxes That Everyone Believed
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The internet has always been fertile ground for hoaxes, ranging from scary myths like the Blue Whale Challenge to lighthearted pranks like Rickrolling. Some hoaxes fueled fear and panic, while others simply played on gullibility and humor. Together, they reveal how easily viral stories can shape beliefs and behaviors in the digital age.

1. The Nigerian Prince Scam

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One of the earliest and most notorious email hoaxes involved a supposed Nigerian prince who needed help moving his fortune. Victims were promised a share of the wealth if they first sent a small “processing fee.” Many unsuspecting people fell for it, losing thousands of dollars in the process.

2. The Blue Whale Challenge

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This hoax claimed that teenagers were being manipulated into completing dangerous tasks online, culminating in suicide. The story spread worldwide through news reports and social media, sparking moral panic among parents. Despite widespread coverage, there was little evidence that the challenge existed as described.

3. Momo Challenge

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The Momo Challenge supposedly involved a creepy bird-like figure encouraging children to harm themselves. Viral warnings on Facebook and YouTube spread the panic faster than any real danger ever did. Experts later confirmed it was a baseless hoax amplified by fear.

4. Justin Bieber Joining ISIS

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A fake news story once circulated claiming that pop star Justin Bieber had joined ISIS. The hoax went viral because it played into tabloid culture and celebrity obsession. Fans were horrified until it was quickly debunked as satire gone too far.

5. The Bonsai Kitten Website

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In the early 2000s, a disturbing website claimed to sell kittens in glass jars that would grow into the shape of the container. Animal rights groups and horrified internet users sounded alarms before it was exposed as a hoax. The website was a cruel joke created to provoke outrage.

6. Polybius, the Haunted Arcade Game

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A long-running internet legend told of a 1980s arcade game called Polybius that caused seizures, nightmares, and even mind control. The story described mysterious men in black monitoring players. Despite years of speculation, no evidence of the game has ever surfaced.

7. The Fake Mars Hoax

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Every few years, social media circulates a post claiming Mars will appear as large as the Moon in the night sky. Millions share the post, believing they will witness a once-in-a-lifetime cosmic event. Astronomers constantly remind people that it is scientifically impossible.

8. The Balloon Boy Incident

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In 2009, the world watched as news networks reported a six-year-old boy floating away in a homemade balloon. The story gripped the internet until it was revealed that the child was never in the balloon at all. His parents staged the event as a publicity stunt.

9. The Fake Facebook Privacy Notice

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At one point, countless users copied and pasted a “privacy notice” on their Facebook wall, thinking it would protect their data. The post claimed users could legally block Facebook from using their photos. In reality, it had no legal basis and was completely useless.

10. The End of the World in 2012

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The internet amplified claims that the Mayan calendar predicted the world would end on December 21, 2012. People shared survival tips, stockpiled supplies, and spread doomsday theories online. When the day passed without incident, the hoax was finally laid to rest.

11. Slender Man

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Slender Man originated from a Photoshop contest in 2009 but quickly grew into a widespread internet myth. Stories, videos, and games spread the idea of a faceless figure stalking children. The hoax became so powerful that it inspired real-life violence.

12. The Shark on the Freeway Photo

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After natural disasters like hurricanes, a viral photo often circulates showing a shark swimming on a flooded highway. Each time, it is passed around as real evidence of chaos. In truth, the image is a doctored composite that resurfaces during every major flood.

13. The Taco Liberty Bell

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In 1996, Taco Bell announced that it had purchased the Liberty Bell and was renaming it the “Taco Liberty Bell.” Outraged citizens flooded phone lines until Taco Bell admitted it was an April Fool’s prank. While harmless, the hoax proved how quickly fake stories could spark outrage.

14. The Rickrolling Craze

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Rickrolling tricked internet users into clicking a link that unexpectedly led to Rick Astley’s 1987 hit “Never Gonna Give You Up.” Though it began as a joke, millions believed they were clicking on serious links before being pranked. It became one of the internet’s most famous bait-and-switch hoaxes.

Written by: Alyana Aguja

Alyana is a Creative Writing graduate with a lifelong passion for storytelling, sparked by her father’s love of books. She’s been writing seriously for five years, fueled by encouragement from teachers and peers. Alyana finds inspiration in all forms of art, from films by directors like Yorgos Lanthimos and Quentin Tarantino to her favorite TV shows like Mad Men and Modern Family. When she’s not writing, you’ll find her immersed in books, music, or painting, always chasing her next creative spark.

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