Thousands share fake appeal for missing child ‘Sofia’

Hoax posts appealing for information about a missing five-year-old named Sofia have been shared thousands of times on Facebook. 

Full Fact has seen examples of these alerts shared in more than a dozen community groups serving locations across the UK, with some in places such as Newport, Bexleyheath and Bristol racking up hundreds of shares each. 

The posts all use very similar text, which says: “Help!!! MISSING Child!! [location]

“My grand daughter Sofia only 5years old went out on her bike earlier today and she still hasn’t returned.She doesn’t know where she’s going, new surroundings.

“There is a silver alert activated on her. Please help bump this post so we can get her home safely!! [sic]” 

There are several indications that these appeals are not…