Hereford & King’s Lynn, UK — A viral Facebook post claiming a young, bruised boy was found wandering alone at night by a police officer named “Deputy Tyler Cooper” has now been officially debunked by both West Mercia Police and Norfolk Constabulary.
The emotionally charged post — which spread rapidly across local community groups — included an image of a frightened, injured child and urged users to “flood feeds” to help locate his family. The post often read:
“This boy was found crying in the rain around 2 a.m. by Deputy Tyler Cooper. He only says ‘mommy’ and doesn’t know his last name. Let’s help him get home. Share and flood feeds!”
However, law enforcement authorities have made it clear: this event never happened.
🚫 Authorities Confirm the Story Is Fake
- West Mercia Police, which covers Hereford, confirmed that no such child was found, and that no officer named Tyler Cooper works for their force.
- Norfolk Constabulary, responsible for King’s Lynn, also reported that they do not use the title “Deputy” in their ranks — further discrediting the story’s authenticity.
A representative from one of the forces warned:
“There is no truth to this claim. We encourage the public not to engage with or share posts like this unless they come from verified sources.”
⚠️ What’s Really Going On: A Hoax with a Hidden Agenda
Unfortunately, this isn’t the first time a fake missing child post has gone viral. It’s part of a disturbing trend on Facebook: emotional manipulation to drive engagement.
Here’s how it works:
- A fake, emotional story is posted — often involving lost or injured children.
- The post gathers thousands of shares and likes from well-meaning people.
- Once the post “goes viral,” the original user often edits it to promote scams, such as:
- Suspicious real estate listings
- Cashback offers or crypto giveaways
- Phishing links to steal data or money
By piggybacking off your trust and concern, these scams exploit your emotions — and sometimes your wallet.
🔐 How to Protect Yourself (and Others) from Facebook Hoaxes
- ✅ Check the source: Is it from an official page (like a police department or verified news outlet)?
- 🛑 Be wary of vague or inconsistent details: Posts that name officers not known to the area or use American-style ranks like “deputy” in the UK are red flags.
- ⚠️ Look out for edits: Click the three dots on the top-right corner of a post and check the edit history. If it started as a “missing child” post and now promotes real estate, it’s a hoax.
- 📢 Report suspicious posts: Help Facebook crack down on misinformation by flagging posts that feel off.
- 🧠 Trust your instincts: If it feels manipulative or too emotionally charged to be true, it probably is.
💬 Final Thoughts
While we all want to help during a crisis — especially when a child might be in danger — it’s crucial to verify before you amplify. Fake posts like this not only waste time and spread misinformation but also take attention away from real cases that need community support.
Let’s stay informed. Let’s stay smart. And let’s use our voices to share truth, not trickery.
