MPD Alerts: Beware of Dangerous Facebook Hoax!

The Maricopa Police Department has issued a warning regarding a viral social media post claiming a serial killer is on the loose in the area. This information has been identified as a scam.

A Facebook user named Kiara James circulated an alarming message accompanied by an image of a heavily tattooed man’s mugshot. The post asserts that a Hispanic man, referred to as Lucio Jose, is wanted for killing three female police officers. It urges residents to lock their doors and stay alert.

Monica Williams, a spokesperson for the department, confirmed that the police have received numerous calls of concern regarding the misleading post. “This seems to be a fabricated story shared across various communities, with posts being edited for different locations,” she noted.

The account behind the post appears suspicious, with minimal activity and only two interactions—both linked to known scam accounts originating from Zimbabwe.

Lucio Jose, the individual mentioned, has indeed been arrested, but his charges are related to traffic violations, including driving without valid registration and possession of narcotics. No murder charges exist against him.

The intention of the circulating post is clear: to manipulate users into sharing it widely, thereby heightening alarm. Once shared, the scammers often convert the narrative into a Bitcoin scam or link for phishing to harvest personal information.

To avoid falling for such scams, residents are advised to scrutinize posts about wanted individuals. Key indicators of potential fraud include: lack of detailed information regarding the author or incident, disabled comments, absence of credible news source verification, and the use of hashtags related to the local area.

This hoax is not isolated; similar false narratives have appeared in the past, with fabricated stories replacing genuine information about critical incidents such as missing persons.

The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children advises that legitimate missing person posts should provide specific details, including the date and location of disappearance and contact information for law enforcement agencies.