Have you heard about the recent stories that are making the rounds online? Women are becoming concerned after seeing odd water bottles on their cars or unusual drawings outside their homes.

Viral videos reveal that these are strategies employed by kidnappers and traffickers to target women. They claim that the code “1F” signifies “one female,” and they use the water bottle as bait to lure women out of their cars.

In one such video, a lady is photographing a car with a wire hooked to the door handle in a parking lot. The caption says, “WTF, is this a joke? Someone better not be abducted.” To everyone’s amazement, a second car with a wire wrapped around its handle appears.

In reaction to these disturbing recordings, a guy produced a TikTok video explaining that attaching a zip tie, wire, or thread to a car door is a typical strategy employed by individuals attempting to abduct women. He describes it as “one of the oldest tricks in the book.” Thieves and kidnappers can attack because the wire coils around the handle, making it difficult to remove quickly.

However, it is critical to keep things in perspective. In 2015, a Facebook post first mentioned the “wire trick”. The Canadian police, where the post originated, acknowledged that no kidnappings occurred as a result of this strategy. Organizations fighting human trafficking have also failed to identify the “wire trick” as a problem.

Some experts dismiss social media warnings as urban tales or scare tactics. They underline that traffickers typically operate online and target people they know rather than strangers.

While we should constantly be vigilant and aware of our surroundings, we must also avoid allowing fear to take control. Stay educated, trust your instincts, and seek help if necessary. Together, we can make our town safer for everyone.