The 15 worst Internet hoaxes of 2014 — and where the pranksters are now

WAPO ^ | Dec. 18, 2014 | Caitlin Dewey

[PROCON]

If 2013 was “the year of the viral hoax,” what then should we call 2014 — a year slightly older, slightly wiser, and even more full of moronic shenanigans?

This was the year, after all, that saw the rise of the fake news industry: a cynical (and profitable!) enterprise that churns out convincing hoax-news for clicks. This was also, arguably, the year that properly ushered in the worst of the bogus fact/photo Twitter accounts, a la @UberFacts or @HistoryInPics. And that’s not even getting into the pranks, the “viral” attention-seeking, and the outright bald-faced lies — made for infamy, lolz or some other purpose, we will never know.

So this year, at least, we shan’t make the mistake of declaring the “viral hoax” a 2014 fad. But as 2015 approaches, maybe we can look back and learn from the past year’s mistakes? In that spirit, here’s our survey of 2014′s most viral, and outrageous, Internet fakes.

1. There was no “three-boob girl.”

[PROCON]

Hmm, I've only heard a few of these; guess I need to spend more time on the internet. (No, no I shouldn't..)

[Libloather]

There was no “three-boob girl.”

Dang it. Might as well give up the search now.

[uncitizen]

Sum Ting Wong.

[TomGuy]

Amazing that 'if you like your plan ... if you like your doctor ... and if you believe that, you might believe you are going to save $2500 a year on healthcare insurance' did not make the list.

[PoloSec]

The only one I heard was the three boobs, I’m pretty sure that was posted here on FR and as remember; it was hilarious.

[Chode]

what about the hands-up LIE or the VT rape LIE or the teen making millions on the market LIE??? no?????

[BenLurkin]

I fell for this one!

[PROCON]

To the liberal mind, they were real, despite all evidence to the contrary.

It would be like trying to convince Rosie Odumbell that Bush wasn't behind 9-11.

[PROCON]

Well, it is the WAPO...

[Explorer89]

I don’t see the Rolling Stone rape story anywhere in that list.

[Chode]

yup, cause as the fat cow will tell you, fire can NOT effect steel...

[Excellence]

The only one I heard about was the Target kid, and that wasn’t a hoax.

[BBell]

Wi Tu Lo

[mad_as_he$$]

There isn’t a three boob girl? Just D$%n.

[LouAvul]

And the number one internet hoax was when Al Bore insisted he invented the internet. That, plus his global warming hoax, makes him the Hoaxmaster.

[Organic Panic]

The worst internet hoaxes I got were from the republican leadership vowing to fight Obama tooth and nail.