If you’ve seen a viral Facebook post about a heroic deputy rescuing a bruised child, be warned—it’s entirely fake

These emotional posts, often shared in community groups, show photos of an injured child and claim “Deputy Tyler Cooper” found the boy alone and is searching for his family. The posts urge readers to “share widely” to help—but it’s a fabricated story.

Police Confirm It Never Happened

West Mercia Police in the UK have confirmed no such incident occurred and that no officer named Tyler Cooper exists in their force. Norfolk Constabulary also denied the story, adding that “deputy” isn’t even a rank in their department. Authorities agree: the post is 100% false.

Part of a Larger Facebook Scam Trend

This isn’t just a one-time hoax. It’s part of a growing tactic where scammers post fake heartwarming or tragic stories to go viral. Once the post gains traction, they edit it to include links to shady products, scams, or affiliate marketing schemes.

These edited posts may promote:

Suspicious cashback sites
Dubious health products
Fake real estate offers
How to Protect Yourself
Before sharing emotional viral content:

Check if it’s reported by news outlets or verified sources

Look for multiple versions of the same story from different regions
Be wary of posts with comments disabled
Review edit history if possible
These scams prey on your good intentions. Stay alert and always verify before sharing.

Share responsibly. Protect your feed from misinformation and fraud.