The claims made by the social media post below that a HIV positive Pepsi worker contaminated Pepsi's beverage products with his blood is a hoax or fake news. The man in the post(see below) is not a Pepsi worker or employee. He is a Nigerian terrorist named Aminu Ogweche, said to have masterminded the first Nyanya bombings in 2014. The picture in the post shows him being transferred to Nigerian security agencies by International Police, INTERPOL, after he was extradited back to Nigeria to face charges for the Nyanya bombing.
The "Pepsi HIV Positive Worker Infects Their Supplies" Fake News
A HIV Pepsi worker, who added his blood into the public supplies. This is the guy who added his infected blood to pepsi. For the next few weeks do not drink any products from Pepsi , as a worker from the company has added his blood contaminated with HIV (AIDS). It was shown yesterday on Sky News. Please forward this message to the people who you care.
After the horrible Nyanya bombings, Aminu Ogweche fled Nigeria and went to Sudan, where he was arrested by Sudanese officials who transferred him to INTERPOL (The International Police Organization).
The post claims that Sky News, an international multimedia news organisation based in the U.K, reported the story, but that is not true. There was no such news report on Sky News.
Also, the "Pepsi HIV Contamination" hoax started as far back as 2011. Below are the different versions of the fake-news or hoax used over the years:
- July 2011
"I am hearing that someone with HIV at a Pepsi plant has injected their blood into the product during plant production. Is this true? Why would they still be selling the product I thought. But some people are saying the news said to not drink it right now."
- September 2012
"URGENT NEWS. There’s news from the police. Its an urgent message for all. For next few days don’t drink any product from pepsi company’s like pepsi, tropicana juice, slice, 7up etc. A worker from the company has added his blood contaminated with AIDS. Watch NDTV. please forward this to everyone on your list"
- May 2014
"NOTE: Important msg from Delhi police to all over India: For the next few weeks do not drink any product of Frooti, as a worker from the company has added his blood contaminated with HIV (AIDS). It ws shown yesterday on NDTV… Pls forward this msg urgently to people you care… Take Care!!"
So, Pepsi lovers, continue to enjoy your Pepsi and do not allow pranksters or some sick psychopath trick you into believing a fake story.
Fake news like the one above, which can cause public panic and social disruption, are common on social media websites and the rest of the Internet. This is why it is important that online users check with reputable or popular news websites first, to verify the authenticity of posts before they share them. And, remember, that not everything that you read on the internet is true.