Death of Tom Selleck: How a Hoax Fooled Millions of Fans

Tom Selleck, the legendary actor known for his roles in Magnum, P.I., Blue Bloods, and Three Men and a Baby, is not dead. Despite the rumors that circulated on social media and some websites in late 2022 and early 2023, the 77-year-old star is alive and well. However, many fans were shocked and saddened by the false news of his demise, which was part of a malicious hoax designed to lure people into clicking on deceptive ads and links. Here is how the death hoax unfolded and how to avoid falling for such scams in the future.

The Origin of the Hoax

The death hoax about Tom Selleck started in December 2022, when some Facebook posts claimed that there was “sad news” about the beloved actor. The posts did not specify what the news was, but urged users to check the comments for more information. In the comments section, there was a link to an article on a website called recipmo.com, which had nothing to do with Selleck’s death or health. Instead, it showed Google-hosted ads about the TV show Blue Bloods, in which Selleck plays the role of New York City Police Commissioner Frank Reagan.

According to Snopes, these ads were misleading and false, as they suggested that Selleck had stepped back or split from the show. In reality, Selleck has been a regular cast member of Blue Bloods since its premiere in 2010 and has no plans to leave the show. The ads were likely created by foreign scammers who wanted to profit from the popularity of the show and the actor.

The CBD Gummies Scam

If users clicked on the Blue Bloods ads, they were redirected to another website that looked like People.com, a reputable celebrity news magazine. However, this was a fake version of People.com, hosted by domains such as swopfind.com or electricalpanelparts.com. The website featured an article that claimed that Selleck had endorsed a product called Nature’s Boost CBD Gummies, a type of cannabis-infused candy that supposedly had health benefits.

The article quoted Selleck as saying that he used CBD gummies to relieve his chronic pain and anxiety, and that he wanted to share his secret with his fans. The article also included fake testimonials from other celebrities who allegedly used the product, such as Morgan Freeman, Clint Eastwood, and Willie Nelson. The article then offered a free trial of the product for a limited time, asking users to enter their credit card details to pay for shipping and handling.

However, this was also a scam, as Snopes reported. Selleck has never endorsed CBD gummies or any other cannabis-related product. The quotes attributed to him and other celebrities were fabricated. The free trial offer was a bait-and-switch scheme that would charge users a monthly subscription fee of $89.95 after 14 days unless they canceled. The product itself was of dubious quality and effectiveness, and could have harmful side effects.

The YouTube Videos

The death hoax about Tom Selleck also spread on YouTube, where some videos claimed that he had passed away or was in critical condition. These videos used sensational titles and thumbnails to attract viewers, such as “Tom Selleck Dead at 77” or “Tom Selleck Hospitalized After Heart Attack”. Some of these videos had thousands of views and comments from fans who expressed their condolences or disbelief.

However, these videos were also fake and misleading. They either used old footage or photos of Selleck from previous interviews or events, or showed unrelated images of ambulances or hospitals. They did not provide any credible source or evidence for their claims. Some of them also included links to dubious websites or products in their descriptions or comments.

How to Spot and Avoid Death Hoaxes

Death hoaxes are not uncommon on the internet, especially involving celebrities who have a large fan base. Scammers use these hoaxes to generate traffic, clicks, views, or sales by exploiting people’s curiosity, emotions, or sympathy. However, there are some ways to spot and avoid these hoaxes:

Check the source: Always verify the source of any news or information you see online. Look for reputable and reliable media outlets or official statements from the celebrities themselves or their representatives. Avoid clicking on links from unknown or suspicious websites or social media posts.
Check the date: Sometimes death hoaxes use old news or reports that are no longer relevant or accurate. Check the date of any article or video you see online and compare it with other sources.
Check the facts: Always do your own research and fact-checking before believing or sharing any news or information online. Look for multiple sources that confirm or contradict the claims. Use fact-checking websites such as Snopes.com or FactCheck.org to verify the accuracy of any news or information online.
Check your emotions: Death hoaxes often play on your emotions, such as shock, sadness, or anger. They want you to react impulsively and click on their links or ads without thinking. However, you should always be skeptical and cautious of any news or information that seems too good or too bad to be true. Don’t let your emotions cloud your judgment and logic.

Conclusion

Tom Selleck is not dead. He is a victim of a death hoax that was perpetrated by scammers who wanted to profit from his fame and popularity. The death hoax involved Facebook posts, website ads, and YouTube videos that claimed that he had died or was in poor health. However, these claims were false and unsupported by any credible source or evidence. Fans of Tom Selleck should not believe or share these hoaxes, but instead follow the tips above to spot and avoid them. Tom Selleck is still alive and well, and continues to entertain and inspire millions of fans around the world with his acting and character.