**More Than 80 Killed Over False ‘Genital Theft’ Claims

More than 80 people were killed between October 2025 and July 2026 across six African countries following false allegations of “**Private Parts theft**,” a BBC investigation found. 

Rumours claim a person’s private parts can disappear after a touch or handshake from a stranger roaming around in their streets. 

Authorities say there is no medical evidence, while social-media-fuelled panic has triggered deadly mob attacks.