Hoax posts posts about ‘missing’ man called Gerald spread across UK

A hoax alert about an elderly missing man with dementia named Gerald has been shared more than 1,600 times in Facebook groups across the UK. 

Full Fact has seen examples of this post in social media groups serving Stockport (Greater Manchester), Grimsby (Lincolnshire), Staines (Surrey), Caerphilly (Wales), Folkestone (Kent), Harrogate (North Yorkshire), Port Talbot (Wales) and the Isle of Wight. 

The posts all use very similar text, with one example saying: “FLOOD YOUR FEEDS ~ MISSING!! in Stockport.

“Our Dad, Gerald Robertson aged 76 drove out last night with his dog Jack and he still hasn’t returned. He doesn’t know where he’s going, he has dementia. 

“There is a silver alert activated on him. Please help bump this post so we can get him home…