The Tanzania Police Force has dismissed as false a viral social media message claiming that children are being used in criminal schemes involving fake home addresses.
In a statement issued on Saturday, Police spokesperson David Misime said the message is misleading and intended to create fear and confusion among the public.
The circulating message alleges that some children are found carrying papers with addresses, claiming they are lost, and that anyone who escorts them to those locations risks falling into the hands of criminals.
Mr Misime said the claims are baseless and urged citizens to ignore and stop sharing the information.
“This message is false and aimed at causing panic among the public. We urge wananchi to disregard it and avoid spreading it further,” he said.
He warned that sharing unverified information online could amount to a criminal offence under the Cybercrimes Act of 2015.
The police called on the public to rely on official sources for information and to report any suspicious incidents to authorities instead of circulating rumours.
The statement comes amid growing concerns over misinformation on social media, which authorities say can undermine public safety and trust if left unchecked.
