Perfume Scam Warning for Women is a False Urban Legend
“Sharing from a friend in Bangor area BEWARE!!!!!!!NOTICE TO ALL LADIES: A friend was put to sleep in the bathroom of a movie theater and everything was stolen from her and she doesn't remember anything, only that a woman gave her a perfume to smell. I was also approached yesterday afternoon around 3:30 pm in the parking lot of the mall by two men who asked what kind of perfume I was wearing. Then they asked me if I would like to smell a sensational type of perfume that they were selling at a sale price. I probably would have accepted if I hadn't received this notice about THE PERFUME SHOCK. The men remained between the parked cars, limagine waiting for someone else to show up. I stopped a lady who was walking towards them and warned her. I had been warned that in shopping malls or parking lots there are people who approach you to offer you to SMELL THE PERFUME they are selling but it is NOT actually perfume, IT IS AXTER. When you smell it you faint and they take advantage of the opportunity to steal everything of value you carry. PLEASE: copy this message and send it to your friends as they are operating everywhere. Ladies be aware of your surroundings, while out shopping or doing errands. Crazy people in the world. Shared from a friend !!!!!”
Summary
The story that criminals use a drug‑laden “perfume” called Axter to knock victims unconscious and steal their belongings is an unfounded urban legend that originated in the late 1990s. Fact‑checking organizations have found no evidence or police reports supporting the claim, and it is widely recognized as a hoax.
Sources 55 searched
- FWD: FWD: WARNING! Tell Everyone! | Washington State
When you sniff it, you'll pass out. They'll take your wallet, your valuables and heaven knows what else. If it were not for this e-mail, I probably would have sniffed the 'perfume' but thanks to the generosity of an e-mailing friend, I was spared whatever might have happened to me.
- Counterfeit Cosmetics, Fragrances | Federal Bureau of Investigation
For both products, they’re being sold at non-authorized retailers, including flea markets, mall kiosks, and over the Internet.
- No, Criminals Are Not Using Drugged Perfume to Rob People | Snopes.com
I had been warned that in shopping malls or parking lots there are people who approach you to offer you to SMELL THE PERFUME they are selling but it is NOT actually perfume, IT IS AXTER.
- Are Robbers Subduing Victims with Perfume? | Snopes.com
Robbers in shopping mall parking lots are using ether-filled perfume bottles to render their victims unconscious.
- Thieves aren't using perfume to knock out victims, despite persistent rumors | Snopes.com
This is an urban legend which began in late 1999 from an incident reported to the Mobile Police Department. Emails regarding this incident and several variations have been widely circulated.
- No need to fear the perfume seller – 1990s hoax about fainting after sniffing perfume still not backed by evidence - Africa Check
The posts claim that the fake perfumes contain “Axter”, which causes the victim to faint, after which they are robbed:
- Perfume Hoax?.html
The passenger proceeded to ask what type of perfume we wore and what brands we liked. She said she had many samples and was selling perfume at rock bottom prices and asked us to come over to their car and “smell” some samples.
- Perfume criminal at the front door? Warning is a stone age internet myth
Crucial: it was an isolated incident. No series pattern, no wave of similar deeds. There are also no other police reports about perfume-related faints or burglaries related to front door visits.
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