The other day i was talking with my Iteima's little daughter about her upcoming Teacher's Day plans. [She usually sings and dances]. She told me she was planning to sing a song on her school's Teacher's Day celebration for which she wanted to take my brother's [who is doing Hindustani Classical Vocal course here in mumbai] help. At the end of the conversation, she told me, 'Ka Sanjit, these days we don't pick up any unknown numbers.' I muttered, 'why?.' 'Because people who received certain numbers coming on their mobile phones that come in red become paralyzed or already death.'
I didn't hear that. Yes, i heard similar news long time back. But i wanted to know what this is all about. So the first thing that came across my mind, is my best friend, Google, for anything and everything that i have no idea of. So instantly i was online.
Times of India also reported similar news on August 13, 2010. But there are no confirmed reports on that but said it was a hoax. I searched on, on Google and found no major/prominent websites reporting similar news. At last i landed on About.com which had a detailed report on the so called death calls. I decided it's just the hoax, rumors.
History of the Hoax:
The rumor/hoax news first appeared on April 13, 2007 that caused a widespread panic in Pakistan that time. Below is an example of the death call hoax in an email by the name Youssef B., on May 2, 2007, reportedly originated from Pakistan. Following is the email.
Hi All,
Its very important news for all of you. Do not pick up calls Under given numbers.
, 9888308001
, 9316048121 91+
, 9876266211
, 9888854137
, 9876715587
These numbers will come in red color, if the calls comes up from these numbers. Its with very high wave length, and frequency. If a call is received on mobile from these numbers, it creates a very high frequency and it causes brain ham range.
It's not a joke rather, its TRUE. 27 persons died just on receiving calls from these numbers. Watch Aaj Tak (NEWS), DD News and IBN 7.
Forward this message to all u'r friends and colleagues, and relatives
[Courtesy: About.com]
And just a few days back, someone posted a similar hoax news in an online forum on September 01, 2010. Below is the post:
FW: Number za Shetani
Hi Colleagues,
I don’t know how true this is but just take precaution. Please don’t attend to any calls from the following numbers:
* 7888308001 *
* 9316048121 *
* 9876266211 *
* 9888854137 *
* 9876715587 *
These numbers come in red colors. U may get brain hemorrhage due to high frequency. 27 persons died just receiving the calls watch the DD news to confirm. Please inform all your relatives and friends soon it’s urgent.
[Source: About.com]
PLEASE NOTE: In 2007, it was 27 people died. In 2010, it's still the same 27 people died.
It's worthwhile to mention a similar variant was reported in 2004 in South Africa on Independent Online news website.
For further reading:
Red Number' Killer Phone Call Rumor Sparks Panic in Kenya
'Brain haemorrhage' SMS causes panic in Kenya
CCK assures public over mobile phone hoax
State dismisses 'death call' SMS alerts as hoax
But in Kenya right now it's now become a big state issue. The Minister of Information and Communications has called an important meeting over this issue this afternoon.
In India it's a different story. In metros, there is hardly any news on that death call hoax rumor. Maybe because people there are more educated and well informed. But as of now, as far as i know, the rumor mill is milling harder in Manipur than most its other counterparts.
The conclusion is, it's a hoax. Scientists confirmed that mobile phones are incapable of emitting sound frequencies that can inflict injury or cause death. And they also confirmed that there is no scientific basis for mobile phone causing brain hemorrhage. It's a marketing gimmick or a ploy by a few handful to mislead people.
So don't panic. Get a good sleep.
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