BBC radiation warning text is a fake

A TEXT MESSAGE supposedly sent by the BBC warning people that radiation levels in Japan are high has been uncovered as a fake.

The fake text message has been doing the rounds in Asia pretending to be a genuine BBC missive warning people about high radiation levels after the Fukushima nuclear plant leaks in Japan.

The 107 word text is addressed as a BBC News Flash and has been going around as a text message or email.

"Japan Government confirms radiation leak at Fukushima nuclear plants. Asian countries should take necessary precautions," said the message.

It then warns people to stay indoors for the next 24 hours if it rains and said the toxic rains will hit the Philippines and Hong Kong.

"Radioactive particles, which may cause burns, alopecia or even cancer, may be in the rain," the message sings.

But the BBC today denied that it had ever sent such a message, although the missive has been out since Monday and asks people to take precautions against high radiation levels.

"The BBC has issued no such flash but it has caused particular panic in the Philippines," the Beeb said today.

The text could be the latest incarnation of using disaster topics for phishing and sending worried punters to malware infested websites.

Apparently, the text caused such a concern in the Philippines that the government was forced to issue an official denial. The Department of Science and Technology in the Philippines also held a press conference to ally fears in case radiation levels in Japan continue to rise. µ