'Cash-for-organs' horror hoax dupes South Africans

The authorities in South Africa have been duped by a "cash-for-organs" hoax, which turned out to be a publicity stunt for an upcoming horror film. "We pay the best prices for all your body parts and organs," read pamphlets widely circulated in Johannesburg city.

Police were reported to be trying to track down "Dr Uba", who advertised quick and painless same-day procedures. The Health Department also issued a statement of concern before the hoax was revealed on Thursday afternoon.



The flyers advertised Dr Uba's Clinic and directed people to an active website that had gory photos of the procedures. It said Dr Uba was offering 5,000 rand ($700; £432) for a pair of eyes, 2,500 rand for a tongue and testicles could fetch up to 1,600 rand each.

"Stop suffering in silence. Rush to get that cash you need. If not for you, do it for your loved one," the pamphlet said. By Thursday morning, newspapers, social networking sites Twitter and Facebook, and blogs were dominated by news of the surgery that was harvesting human body parts. When it turned out to be a hoax, many people were shocked.