Momo, the dangerous WhatsApp hoax

In Spring of 2019 the police in Munich published a warning about an old chain letter that was spreading. Recipients were asked to participate in the "Momo challenge". The hoax continues to target children and youth via WhatsApp. They are challenged to contact an animated horror character and to then complete certain tasks.

One of them is to forward the Momo message. If the message is not forwarded, a threat is made in which the horror character, supposedly already dead, will make a terrifying visit at night. Sensitive children may suffer severe psychological harm from this far from harmless prank. Be sure you know who your children are communicating with on messenger services or on the Internet.

Classic hoax: Bill Gates and his money

"Bill Gates is giving away all his money!" This story is considered a classic hoax: readers are encouraged to forward the message shown below to receive a cheque for EUR 243. Several typical characteristics of hoaxes can be clearly seen. For example, it mentions someone with authority, here a lawyer specialised in the subject. However, it is not possible to check whether there is really a connection between the unbelievable message content and whether the lawyer is competent because the lawyer's name isn't even mentioned. Did you know that this Microsoft hoax has been in circulation since the year 1999? Every few years a new variant of it crops up. This text is a good example of a large number of hoax e-mails.

'Normally I'm not one to forward messages like this, but it was sent to me from a very close friend of mine. She's a lawyer and it seems to be an interesting opportunity. If she says it works, then it will work. There's nothing to lose, anyhow. This is what she told me:
I'm a lawyer and I'm familiar with the law. That's a fact. Don't be fooled! AOL and Intel keep their promises for fear of being taken to court and having to pay millions. After all, that's what happened to Pepsi Cola in the case with General Electric recently. My dear friends, please believe me when I say this isn't just a silly prank.
Bill Gates is give away his millions right now! If you don't take advantage of it now, you'll regret it later. Windows is still one of the most commonly used applications. Microsoft and AOL are now experimenting with this e-mail text (e-mail beta test).
If you send the e-mail to your friends, Microsoft can and will track you for two whole weeks. For every person who forwards this message, Microsoft will pay EUR 245. For every person to whom you send this message and who also forwards it, Microsoft will pay EUR 243. Microsoft will pay EUR 241 to the third person who receives the message. After two weeks, Microsoft will contact you to confirm you mailing address so they can send you a cheque.'

'BREAKING NEWS - new drug in schools ...'

'BREAKING NEWS - new drug in schools ...': this subject line is a new version of the 'Strawberry Quik hoax' that is sent over Facebook and WhatsApp every few years. In the original hoax, the drug was called 'Strawberry Quik meth'. Today, messages warn readers about similarly named drugs being shared in fizzy drink powder on school playgrounds. (image source: https://www.onlinewarnungen.de/warnungsticker/achtung-schuetzt-unsere-schueler-falschmeldung-um-droge-an-schulen-in-brausepulverpackungen/)

Understandably, many parent panic. And they do as the message says, forwarding the message to as many other parents as they know. However, to date, every 'Strawberry Quik' message like this has turned out to be false.