the goan I network
QUEPEM
A fake audio message on WhatsApp claiming that a man from Quepem had been found positive for coronavirus caused panic in the town.
According to the fake message, a person hailing from Quepem had returned from Italy and had gone to a private doctor. “That doctor sent him to Hospicio hospital, but they (Hospicio) sent him home because in case they send him to medical (GMC), they might kill him,” stated the audio message.
People began sharing and circulating the audio message without authenticating it, spreading panic among people in the process.
Such was the alarm over the fake audio message that many people began rushing to buy hand sanitizers and handwash, which quickly ran out of stock in Quepem.
The Goan then decided to locate the person in question and found out that a person with the same name is from Quepem, but is presently working abroad. When contacted, his friends and relatives informed The Goan that the man is safe and healthy, adding that someone may have circulated the audio message to create panic and fear among people.
Social activist, Adv John Fernandes, said the police must take strict action against the person who had released the fake audio message which caused panic among people.
“The police cyber cell must punish the culprit so that posting such fake news is not repeated again,” said Fernandes.
