'Sylvester Stallone Dies In Horrible Car Accident’ Death Hoax Goes Viral

Is Sylvester Stallone really dead? The "Expendables 3" actor is yet another Hollywood star who has become a victim of a viral celebrity death hoax. The rumour, which spread like wildfire, especially on social media networks, originated from a fake Facebook page. The news apparently caused panic among the fans of the "Rambo" actor, triggering a wild social media buzz. Several fans even expressed their grief on Twitter. (Scroll down to read some of the Twitter reactions.)

Sylvester Stallone Death Hoax

According to Hoax-Slayer.com, a website created to "debunk emails and social media hoaxes" and "thwart Internet scammers," Sylvester Stallone's death hoax is "currently gaining momentum on Facebook." The report notes that the viral post alleges that the actor died in a "horrible" car crash caused by Stallone's drunken car driver who didn't see a truck coming. However, the website suggests that the death hoax is nothing but a Facebook scam trying to trap vulnerable social media users.

The website reports that the fake Facebook link shows up with a picture of the actor in a car crash scene, with a play-the-video button. Providing a detailed analysis of the scam, the website notes that the photo on the viral link is the same photo in a 2013 news article published in Journal Star, which shows an accident in Beatrice, Nebraska that killed a 53-year-old man.

The website notes that the photo attached to the now-removed link "has no connection to Sylvester Stallone."

The website issues a warning and informs social media users that Facebook posts with compelling headlines urge social media users to click on the play button. However, the play button does not work; instead, it takes the user to a new page with an instruction to "share" the page with their friends in order to "view the video." Then it presents fake surveys and scams that demands the users to verify various kinds of personal information.

"Fine print on the page will state that all of your details will be shared with third parties and used for marketing purposes," states the article.

Sylvester Stallone Death Hoax Debunked

This is not the first time the actor has been killed by the Internet. Earlier, a viral death hoax reported by Global Associated News claimed that the actor died in a "snowboarding accident."

Sylvester Stallone, 68, is alive and doing well. After "Expendables 3," the actor will be filming the fifth instalment of his super hit film "Rambo." Aside from Sylvester Stallone, other actors who recently became the victim of a viral death hoax are Justin Timberlake, Miley Cyrus and Charlie Hunnam.

RIP Sylvester Stallone died in car accident....allah given the best for u....byee my best superstar....
— kusuma dewayanie (@kusumadewayanie) August 26, 2014