Employee Reprimanded Over E-Mail Hoax

HOUSTON -- A Harris County employee was reprimanded for sending an e-mail hoax to her family and friends, according to an exclusive News2Houston Investigators report Wednesday night.

Franchell Plummer thought the warning about poisoned perfume samples was real.

"I really don't get a lot of urban legends. I don't get e-mails of that nature, so when I got it, I was really scared," Plummer said.

Plummer, 27, said that she was so scared she wanted to warn her friends.

So in between her duties as an administrative assistant at the Harris County Attorney's office, she sent the e-mail to others, never realizing that it would cause nationwide concern.

"If I had to do it over again, I'd have contacted my supervisor instead of sending it out," Plummer said.

The e-mail said, "Seven women have died after inhaling a free perfume sample that was mailed to them. The product was poisonous. If you receive free samples in the mail, such as lotions, perfumes, diapers, etc. throw them away. The government is afraid that this might be another terrorist act. They will not announce it on the news because they do not want to create panic or give the terrorists new ideas. Send this to all your friends and family members."

It was signed with Plummer's title:
Franchell Plummer
Michael A. Stafford's Office
Harris County Attorney
2525 Murworth
Houston, TX 77054

Having Plummer's title attached to the e-mail was a big reason why it became such a big deal.

"That did give it some credibility, making it seem legitimate and that was a big concern for us. It was not an authorized e-mail," said John Barnhill, the first assistant county attorney.

Barnhill said that he's gotten calls from all over the country about the e-mail -- from as far away as Washington state and Washington, D.C. Everyone received an apology.

"We regret that so many folks thought there was actually some validity to this," Barnhill said.

"I just want to apologize to the public. I never meant to hurt or harm anyone," Plummer said.

Plummer received a written reprimand since she used a county computer. She said that she will never again forward an e-mail, no matter how convincing it looks.

Internet experts told News2Houston that most e-mail hoaxes deal with a common thread to hook people. In this case, the mail was used.

The hoax also tries to convince the reader why it hasn't been reported on the news.

Experts suggest that e-mails should not be forwarded until they are verified as fact.

Urban Legend Web Site Information:

• Perfume E-Mail Explained As Hoax
• www.urbanlegends.about.com/
• www.cdc.gov/hoax_rumors.htm
• www.snopes2.com/
• www.netsquirrel.com/combatkit/
• www.symantec.com/avcenter/hoax.html