A viral Facebook post claiming that a female police officer named Katie Cunningham has gone missing in Marshall, Texas, has been circulating widely across various community groups. The post alleges that a silver alert has been issued for Officer Cunningham, who is described as being 5’9″ and 163 lbs, and that her car was found with her daughter inside but she remains missing. However, this story is entirely false and part of a broader scam designed to exploit emotions and garner shares.
The Post
“FEMALE POLICE OFFICER MISSING in Marshall TX. A silver alert has been issued for Female Officer Katie Cunningham (28) who went missing yesterday morning. Her car was found last night with her daughter inside, but unfortunately, there is still no sign of her. She is 5’9” and 163 lbs. We are asking for the community’s help in locating her, as she is considered to possibly be in extreme danger and in need of medical assistance. It only takes 2 seconds to share.”
The Scam Explained
This type of scam is not new and has been circulating on social media platforms for some time. Scammers create posts that tug at the heartstrings, such as missing children, pets, or in this case, a missing police officer. These posts are often shared in online garage sale groups or community forums with minimal administrative oversight. Once the post gains traction and is shared by numerous users, the scammer edits it to display a different message, often a deceptive rental ad, sales pitch, or a link to a survey promising cash prizes. This bait-and-switch tactic aims to either secure deposits for non-existent rentals or steal personal information, leading to identity theft.
Actual Facts
- Katie Cunningham: The real Katie Cunningham is a police officer with the Great Falls Police Department in Montana. She was selected as the department’s first female firearms instructor in 2015 and served as the secretary for the Great Falls Police Protective Association4. There is no evidence that she has gone missing or is involved in any incident related to the viral post.
- Locations: The hoax has been shared in multiple locations, including Marshall, TX; Kendall County; Cincinnati; Moline; Tyler; Norfolk; Hartford County; Eureka; and more. Each post changes the location to make it appear relevant to the specific community, increasing its shareability.
How to Identify and Avoid Such Scams
- Verify Information: Before sharing any post, especially those claiming emergencies or missing persons, verify the information through reputable news sources or official police announcements.
- Check for Consistency: Be wary of posts that seem overly urgent or emotional. Scammers often use these tactics to prompt quick actions without thorough verification.
- Report Suspicious Posts: If you encounter such posts, report them to Facebook or local authorities to prevent further dissemination.
In conclusion, the viral post about a missing police officer named Katie Cunningham is a scam designed to exploit emotions and manipulate social media users. Always verify information through credible sources before sharing, and be cautious of posts that seem too urgent or emotional.
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