A viral video circulating on Turkish social media shows a man with infants placed in cardboard boxes for sale at $300 each, which has led to alarming allegations connecting this scene to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Some users claim that Epstein kidnapped girls from Turkey after the 1999 earthquake for this purpose. This narrative gained traction when old political warnings about child abduction in the aftermath of the recent 2023 earthquake were taken out of context and linked to Epstein's criminal history, generating millions of views across various languages.

Investigative efforts by Al Jazeera’s verification team revealed that the claims surrounding the video are entirely misleading. The original image can be traced back to an archived post from Joint Base Charleston, dated June 22, 2017, debunking the supposed connection to Epstein and emphasizing that the narrative was fabricated. The utilization of political rhetoric from Turkish politicians warning about potential child kidnappings following the recent earthquake only served to amplify the unfounded claims, misleading many into believing in a sinister conspiracy.

The spread of this misinformation underscores the dangers of social media and the ease with which false narratives can take root, especially in the context of real tragedies like earthquakes. Authorities and responsible entities must remain vigilant and proactive in combating misinformation, particularly in sensitive situations involving vulnerable populations.