Posted on 04/16/2007 7:38:22 PM PDT by Anti-Bubba182
KABUL (Reuters) - rumors swept through Afghanistan on Monday that a deadly virus was being spread by mobile telephone calls, and government officials scrambled to reassure the public the talk was rubbish.
Many worried Afghan mobile phone users called family and friends, warning them not to answer calls from strange numbers. Some people said they had heard that several people had been killed by the mystery virus in Kabul at the weekend.
"Don't answer any strange number because it contains a virus that will kill you," said Ahmad Fawad, a shop owner in Kabul.
The rumors appear to have spread from neighboring Pakistan where last week a similar scare frightened countless mobile phone users.
Officials from the Afghan interior, communications and health ministries appeared on television and said the talk was baseless.
Anybody know an Afghany e-mail address?
I have something to send them about this thingy Bill Gates is doing if they forward an e-mail. Oh, and there is this Prince somewhere in a small African nation that could share his wealth if only someone would lend him access to all their money.
Ignorance abounds. They sound like democrats.
[Ignorance abounds. They sound like democrats.]
We need to cut them some slack. They are new to this capitolism and freedom thing with all the gadgets and technology that comes with it. Free market stuff. You know?
I lost a cousin just that way last week. If only he'd heard Ahmad's warning in time.....sigh.
Ahh,the “ol” djinn in a Razor phone trick!!
do any one in these countries think for themselves?????? It just amazes me that these people just think every rumor is right....talk about a gossip mill!!!!
Is there no limit to the evidence that the population of this part of the world is comprised of totally dim bulbs?
The Afghans will catch on, I seem to remember they picked up on how to use the Stingers pretty quick.
Point, buzz, fire, kill Commies, do a victory dance. Who cares how the magic stick works?
Heck, I bet 95% of Americans don't have a clue how cell phones work (excluding the exeptional people on FR of course).
Doesn't matter, that's the beauty of it. Even my 80+ plus Mom can use a cell phone.
Besides, I make my living fixing techno stuff for people who don't have a clue, I need them.
I bet 99.9999% of Americans wouldn't fall for this.
NAh we should use it to our advantage, Maybe we can start one that says.... if you are taliban and you get a call from this number allah wants you to shoot yourself and claim your virginal rewards now. Then hire a boiler room full of telemarketers to call every number in afganistan.
too bad though, whenever odor can be realized from a cell phone,I’m gonna call Bill Clinton and fart.
[do any one in these countries think for themselves?????? It just amazes me that these people just think every rumor is right....talk about a gossip mill!!!!]
Careful. This is the same part of the world that watches Al Jezeera TV news every night. It’s no wonder our enemies are winning the propaganda war. When you audience believes everything they see and hear, it’s hard to tell them otherwise.
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