Are Arabs Distributing Poison as Perfume Samples?

WhatsApp is once again rushing to save our lives. "Pay close attention and share as much as possible: it looks like a perfume sample, but it's poison. Arabs are distributing it in mailboxes. Don't open it and do not smell it!"

In the rare case that any of you have recently received a perfume sample in the mail (for most of us, as you know, the most exciting thing that arrives in the mail is the electric bill) – don't panic. We can't promise the quality of the perfume, but it's certainly not poison.

Despite the Middle Eastern flavor of the message like 'Arabs spreading perfume that looks like poison,' this specific internet hoax is not Israeli at all. It was born in 2001, after the Twin Towers attack. Among all the anthrax envelope scares, emails began to circulate about toxic perfume samples allegedly sent by terrorists. Needless to say, such a sample was never found.

In 2002, the rumor landed in Israel. With the Al-Aqsa Intifada raging in the background, it found attentive ears here. In 2003, even 'Yedioth Ahronoth' got caught by it, publishing that "toxic perfume samples are being distributed by mail." In 2004, the story gained further momentum when a doctor forwarded the email to her friends. Her signature and numerous titles at the bottom of the message led people to believe there was truth to the tale.

From then until today, this rumor resurfaces every few years via email, Facebook, and now WhatsApp. In fact, just a year ago, the 'poison in perfume' warning appeared on WhatsApp for the first time. These days, it's merely making a second round. Understandably, after spending years in email inboxes and social networks, it finds it refreshing to try something new. However, you can definitely ignore the request to 'share as much as possible': isn't it time to send this rumor into early retirement after 14 years?