Rumors about kidnappings of women spread fear across Baltimore

Rumors about men driving around in white vans kidnapping women have sparked fears in the city of Baltimore in the United States, reports CNN.

The rumors came from a series of viral Facebook posts suggesting that women were being kidnapped for sex trafficking and their body parts were being sold.

But there is no evidence to suggest that this is actually happening.

CNN Business reported on December 5, 2019 the rumors about men driving around in white vans kidnapping women. [Screenshot: China Plus]

Sightings of supposedly suspicious white vans in Baltimore have been reported on Facebook for years. The posts have even led to the city's mayor issuing a warning based on the unsubstantiated claims. "Don't park near a white van," Baltimore Mayor Bernard "Jack" Young said in a TV interview on Monday. "Make sure you keep your cellphone in case somebody tries to abduct you."

The Baltimore Police Department told CNN Business that the department is aware of posts on social media but that it had not received "any reports of actual incidents."