Seamus Hammond
There have been several reports and rumors of people selling perfumes working for sex traffickers. The rumor, which has been circulating since 1999, warns that robbers in shopping mall parking lots are using ether-filled perfume bottles to render their victims unconscious before abducting them. Similar reports have also surfaced on social media, with posts warning about human traffickers posing as perfume salesmen to trick victims into smelling chloroform. However, law enforcement agencies like the St. George Police have debunked these claims, stating that there are no reports of such incidents occurring in their jurisdiction. While it is important to be vigilant and aware of potential dangers, it is also crucial to verify the accuracy of information before spreading fear or causing harm to legitimate businesses and individuals.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Nature of the claim | People selling perfumes are working for sex traffickers |
| Truthfulness | False |
| Evidence | St. George Police debunked a social media post about human traffickers posing as perfume salesmen |
| History | The claim is a variation of an urban legend that began circulating in 1999 |
| Details | Strangers approach women in parking lots and offer samples of discounted perfume as a pretext for drugging and robbing them |
| Variations | The drug used is ether, chloroform, or Axter (possibly hydroxyzine) |
| Target | Women of all ages |
| Location | Public places such as shopping malls, parking lots, movie theaters, and grocery stores |
| Companies involved | Scentura |
| Related issues | Counterfeit perfumes may contain DEHP, a probable human carcinogen, or urine, and can cause serious skin rashes |
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What You'll Learn
- Sex traffickers target at-risk individuals who are homeless or running away
- Victims are lured by cheap perfumes and then abducted
- Victims are targeted in public places like malls and parking lots
- Victims are made unconscious by chloroform or ether-filled perfume bottles
- Criminals use counterfeit perfumes to drug and rob unsuspecting victims
Sex traffickers target at-risk individuals who are homeless or running away
There is no evidence to suggest that people selling perfumes are working for sex traffickers. However, an urban legend has been spreading online that warns women about criminals using drugged perfume to rob them. This legend has been circulating in various forms since 1999, with some details remaining consistent throughout. In the narrative, strangers approach women in parking lots or shopping malls and offer them discounted perfume to smell. The perfume is said to be laced with drugs such as ether, Axter, or hydroxyzine, which render the victims unconscious, allowing them to be robbed or assaulted. While this specific scenario has been debunked by sources such as Snopes and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control, it highlights the vulnerability that at-risk individuals may face in certain situations.
Unfortunately, sex traffickers do target vulnerable individuals, including those who are homeless or running away. Research shows a significant overlap between youth homelessness, running away, and human trafficking. Young people who run away from home are at an increased risk of homelessness and are more susceptible to sexual exploitation and labor trafficking. Covenant House, an organization serving trafficking victims, found that nearly one in five residents across their U.S. and Canada sites are survivors of human trafficking, with the number rising to one in two at their Latin America sites.
Traffickers prey on the vulnerabilities of homeless and runaway youth, luring them with false promises of stability, love, or financial security. They may be offered a place to stay or a chance to earn money, only to find themselves trapped in a horrific situation. The risk is particularly high for homeless youth as they may lack the necessary resources, support systems, and stability to protect themselves from potential traffickers.
Additionally, individuals who run away from home often do so due to abusive or unstable home environments. They may be seeking a sense of belonging and safety, which traffickers exploit by offering a seemingly caring and supportive relationship. Traffickers may also target locations where homeless or runaway youth are known to gather, such as shelters or drop-in centers, posing as potential romantic partners or friends to gain their trust.
To protect at-risk individuals from falling into trafficking situations, it is crucial to address the underlying issues that contribute to youth homelessness and running away. This includes providing access to safe housing, education, and support services, as well as raising awareness about the tactics used by traffickers to recruit and exploit vulnerable individuals. By empowering young people with knowledge and resources, we can help them recognize potential dangers and make informed decisions to keep themselves safe.
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Victims are lured by cheap perfumes and then abducted
There have been several reports and warnings about people selling perfumes being involved in sex trafficking and other illegal activities. In 2018, a social media post went viral, warning people about perfume salesmen posing as human traffickers. However, the police in St. George, Utah, debunked this claim, stating that it was false.
While the specific claim about perfume salesmen may have been false, it is important to recognize that sex traffickers do employ creative strategies to target victims. For example, there have been reports of sex traffickers attempting to sell perfume to victims, and when the victim samples the perfume, they pass out as the sample is laced with drugs, making it easier for the trafficker to abduct them. This tactic is especially concerning as it involves the element of surprise and renders the victim unconscious, making them vulnerable to abduction and subsequent exploitation.
Additionally, it is important to be aware of other signs that may indicate a person is being trafficked or is at risk of becoming a victim of sex trafficking. These signs can include a person having little to no possessions, sounding scripted when talking, showing signs of physical harm, or living with many people. Being vigilant and aware of these signs can help identify potential victims and prevent them from being lured or abducted.
It is worth noting that there are legitimate companies that hire people to sell perfume door-to-door or in parking lots, and some of these salespeople work in pairs and employ aggressive sales tactics. While this may be a legitimate business practice, it is crucial to be cautious and trust your instincts if you ever feel unsafe or sense something is amiss.
While the connection between people selling perfumes and sex trafficking may not be as direct as some reports suggest, it is crucial to remain vigilant and aware of potential dangers. By recognizing the signs of human trafficking and reporting suspicious activities to the authorities, we can all play a part in combating this heinous crime and keeping ourselves and our communities safe.
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Victims are targeted in public places like malls and parking lots
It is a widely spread rumour that people selling perfumes in public places like malls and parking lots are working for sex traffickers. This is not true. However, it is important to be vigilant and aware of the ways in which victims are targeted in public spaces. Human trafficking victims are often deceived by false promises of love, a good job, or a stable life. They are then lured or forced into situations of labour or commercial sex acts under deplorable conditions with little to no pay. Victims can be of any age, race, gender, or nationality, and they can be found in a variety of industries, including legal ones such as childcare, elder care, restaurants, and hotels.
Undocumented migrants and people desperately seeking employment are particularly vulnerable to trafficking for forced labour. Victims may be forced or tricked into exploitative situations through violence, deception, or blackmail. Criminals target victims from poor households, dysfunctional families, or those without parental care. The trauma caused by traffickers can be so severe that victims may not even identify themselves as such or ask for help, even in public settings.
Traffickers may use language barriers, fear of their authority, or fear of law enforcement to keep victims from seeking help, making human trafficking a hidden crime. Victims are targeted in public places like malls and parking lots through various methods, such as offering free samples or asking about the perfume they are wearing. These tactics may involve working in pairs and employing aggressive sales pitches to lure potential customers. While the connection between perfume sales and human trafficking is a myth, it is important to be aware of the signs of human trafficking and to report any suspicious activity to the appropriate authorities.
Additionally, it's important to note that human trafficking is not limited to the sex industry. While sexual exploitation is a significant aspect of human trafficking, it also occurs in other sectors, including agriculture, construction, garment and textile industries, catering, entertainment, and domestic work. Human trafficking is a global issue, with victims detected in Europe, the Middle East, North America, East Asia, and the Pacific, originating from a wide range of countries.
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Victims are made unconscious by chloroform or ether-filled perfume bottles
An urban legend has been circulating since 1999 about robbers using ether-filled perfume bottles to render victims unconscious in public places, specifically in parking lots. The legend describes men approaching women in parking lots and asking them about the perfume they are wearing. They then offer them a sample of a different scent at a discounted price. However, the perfume is not actually perfume, but a substance like ether or chloroform that causes people to lose consciousness. Once the victim is unconscious, the robbers steal their valuables. While this legend has been debunked multiple times by sources like Snopes and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control, it continues to persist and evolve, with new variations spreading on social media platforms like Facebook.
While the above legend specifically mentions robbers, a similar tactic has been anecdotally reported to be used by sex traffickers. In these reports, traffickers attempt to sell perfume to a victim, who passes out after sampling the perfume due to it being laced with drugs. The victim is then taken advantage of by the trafficker. It is important to note that these reports are anecdotal and have not been confirmed.
It is worth addressing the feasibility of the claims made in these legends and anecdotes. Dr. Matthew Barnhill, a toxicologist with the Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences, noted that it would be challenging to identify a substance that could immediately knock someone out through inhalation alone. Such a drug or chemical would need to be highly potent. Additionally, the legend and anecdotes do not account for the complexity of administering such a substance discreetly and effectively in a public setting.
While the specific claims of the legends and anecdotes may be questionable, it is important to recognize that sex trafficking is a pervasive issue. Sex traffickers often target at-risk individuals who are homeless, running away, or facing social discrimination. They employ manipulative tactics, including violence, threats, lies, and even romance or friendship, to coerce their victims. With new avenues for accessing victims, such as social media and apps, it is crucial to be vigilant and aware of potential dangers.
To conclude, while the stories of robbers and sex traffickers using chloroform or ether-filled perfume bottles to target victims may be exaggerated or unfounded, they reflect a broader reality of the insidious methods employed by criminals. It is essential to approach such anecdotes with skepticism but also maintain awareness and precaution when encountering potentially dangerous situations.
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Criminals use counterfeit perfumes to drug and rob unsuspecting victims
An internet urban legend claims that thieves are using drug-filled perfume bottles to render their victims unconscious and rob them. The legend, which has been circulating since 1999, warns people, especially women, to be cautious of strangers offering them discounted perfume samples in public places like shopping malls and parking lots. While this story has been widely shared on social media platforms like Facebook, it has been debunked multiple times by Snopes and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control.
The legend typically involves two people working together. They approach unsuspecting individuals, often women, and engage them by asking about the perfume they are wearing. Then, they offer a supposedly discounted or reasonably priced perfume for sale, encouraging the target to take a sniff. The "perfume" is claimed to be a substance like ether, Axter (possibly hydroxyzine), or a strong chemical that can instantly render someone unconscious with just a single sniff.
One version of the story involves a woman, Bertha Johnson, who reported an incident to the Mobile, Alabama police in November 1999. She claimed that a woman approached her car in a bank parking lot and offered her bottles of cologne at a discounted price. After sniffing the sample, Johnson found herself disoriented and discovered that her money was missing. However, no evidence was found to support her claim, and the story has been deemed implausible by experts.
Despite the lack of evidence and the implausibility of the claims, the urban legend persists and continues to resurface on social media. This has led to people reporting innocent freelance perfume sellers or salespeople from legitimate companies as potential criminals. It's important to be cautious and aware of one's surroundings, but it's also crucial to rely on verified information and not spread unfounded fears or rumors.
While the use of counterfeit perfumes by criminals to drug and rob victims may not be a widespread phenomenon, it is always essential to be vigilant and aware of potential dangers in public places. If individuals encounter suspicious situations or individuals offering discounted perfumes, it is wise to exercise caution and make informed decisions to ensure their safety.
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Frequently asked questions
There is no evidence to support the claim that people selling perfumes are working for sex traffickers. This is an urban legend that has been circulating since 1999, with various details changing over time. The basic premise involves strangers approaching women in parking lots and offering them discounted perfume samples laced with drugs, rendering them unconscious and vulnerable to robbery or other crimes. However, law enforcement agencies, including the St. George Police and Snopes, have debunked these claims multiple times.
The urban legend about perfume sellers being involved in sex trafficking or robbery originated from an incident reported to the Mobile Police Department in late 1999. The story involves thieves or sex traffickers approaching individuals, usually women, in public places like parking lots or shopping malls, and offering them discounted perfume samples to smell. The perfume is alleged to be laced with drugs like ether, chloroform, or Axter (hydroxyzine), causing victims to lose consciousness.
While the connection between perfume sellers and sex trafficking is not supported by evidence, there are still legitimate concerns about the sale of counterfeit fragrances. The FBI has reported the proliferation of counterfeit cosmetics and fragrances, which may contain harmful substances such as DEHP, a probable human carcinogen, or even urine. These counterfeit products are often sold through online auction sites or other websites, and the proceeds from their sale may fund other types of criminal activities.
