This site uses cookies to improve your experience and to provide services and advertising.
By continuing to browse, you agree to the use of cookies described in our Cookies Policy.
You may change your settings at any time but this may impact on the functionality of the site.
To learn more see our Cookies Policy.
A HOAX NEWS article claiming British graffiti artist Banksy had been arrested and identified by police has managed to fool hundreds of people online.
An article on the US website National Report alleged that the street artist had been arrested in London in the early hours of this morning.
It said Banksy was ‘identified’ by police as 35-year-old Paul Horner from Liverpool after a ’24-hour Anti-Graffiti Task Force’ monitored his movements.
People were immediately shocked and indignant at the unmasking of the great artist Banksy.
Advertisement
banksy's art isnt mindless vandalism, its art put there to provoke thought in people and he doesnt deserve to be arrested for making art
The whole arrest has been revealed as a hoax, thanks to a few telling details – firstly, and probably most importantly, the National Report is a satirical website and all articles on it are fictional.
Secondly, the exact same thing happened in February of last year. This hoax also named Banksy ‘Paul Horner’, though it was claimed he was 39 and from Bristol.
Thirdly, ‘Paul Horner’ is actually a real person – a web designer living in Phoenix, Arizona, who has been involved in several online pranks in the past.
Banksy is still unidentified. He will continue to make art. We can stop worrying.
Saturday 23 November, 2024
Saturday 23 November, 2024
Download our app
It's all right, everyone - Banksy hasn't been arrested
A HOAX NEWS article claiming British graffiti artist Banksy had been arrested and identified by police has managed to fool hundreds of people online.
An article on the US website National Report alleged that the street artist had been arrested in London in the early hours of this morning.
It said Banksy was ‘identified’ by police as 35-year-old Paul Horner from Liverpool after a ’24-hour Anti-Graffiti Task Force’ monitored his movements.
People were immediately shocked and indignant at the unmasking of the great artist Banksy.
The whole arrest has been revealed as a hoax, thanks to a few telling details – firstly, and probably most importantly, the National Report is a satirical website and all articles on it are fictional.
Secondly, the exact same thing happened in February of last year. This hoax also named Banksy ‘Paul Horner’, though it was claimed he was 39 and from Bristol.
Thirdly, ‘Paul Horner’ is actually a real person – a web designer living in Phoenix, Arizona, who has been involved in several online pranks in the past.
Banksy is still unidentified. He will continue to make art. We can stop worrying.
News interview captures hilariously unfortunate moment in the background>
‘Bathroom bandit’ arrested for stealing toilet parts from fast food restaurants>
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
Banksy fake news website Graffiti Hoax National Report Street Art Street Artist