Recent viral stories have sparked concern as women report finding water bottles placed on their cars or unusual car markings. Some viral videos suggest these could be tactics used by kidnappers and traffickers. One video features a car with a wire on the door handle, captioned, “WTF is this a joke? Someone better not get kidnapped.” Another clip shows a vehicle with a similar wire setup.
A TikTok user claims that wires, zip-ties, or threads on car doors are signals used by abductors to make it harder for victims to escape quickly, giving criminals more time to act. Despite this alarming notion, the “wire trick” was first mentioned in a 2015 Facebook post, and Canadian police have confirmed that no kidnappings have resulted from it.
@ice.lemon.water We thought it was a joke at first until we found the second one 😳 #fyp #foryou #foryoupage #scary #viral #trending #BoseAllOut ♬ Scary – Background Sounds
Experts are quick to dismiss these warnings. The director of the University of Toledo’s Human Trafficking and Social Justice Institute has called them “ridiculous,” comparing them to urban legends or scare tactics. Authorities emphasize that traffickers generally operate online and target individuals they are already familiar with.
While it is important to remain vigilant, it’s equally crucial not to give in to fear. Stay informed, trust your instincts, and seek assistance when needed to ensure community safety.