Social media post claiming girls being abducted from Calgary-area mall for human trafficking is hoax: police

Police are issuing a warning to users to be wary of what they share on social media, after a story circulating raised alarm but turned out not to be true.

You may have seen the post making the rounds on Instagram and Facebook, telling people of how a young girl went into a bathroom at CrossIron Mills mall, and when her mom went in to find her, she discovered the child in a stall unconscious, with her head shaved, dressed like a boy.

The social media post claims the girl was in the process of being abducted for human trafficking, adding the story may make it to the news but that police are “holding back” on sharing information to preserve the investigation.

As horrifying as it sounds, police say it’s not true.

The Alberta RCMP tells CityNews this particular hoax has been circulating for over a year and is “entirely false.”

Calgary police say no incidents of this sort have been reported to the local agency or Alberta Law Enforcement Response Teams (ALERT).

“There is a concern with social media posts spreading misinformation and causing unnecessary alarm. People should be aware of there surroundings and personal safety as always. If you see something, say something,” CPS told CityNews.

It adds social media users should be careful when sharing stories carefully to avoid spreading misinformation.

A representative from CrossIron Mills says the shopping centre’s security team works closely with emergency response organizations and “can confirm that local law enforcement, including the RCMP, have not responded to an incident of this nature at CrossIron Mills.”