France considering legal action on '$21 billion' Haiti hoax
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}PARIS (AP) — France's Foreign Ministry says it is considering legal action against the alleged perpetrators of an Internet hoax that claimed France would pay a huge indemnity Haiti demanded 125 years ago.
The alleged hoaxers have e-mailed international media to announce the repayment of 90 million gold francs — which the fake "Foreign Ministry" says is worth $21 billion — to help Haiti's recovery from the January earthquake.
The e-mail directs recipients to French- and English-language videos of the "announcement" posted on a website made to resemble French government portals.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}French Foreign Ministry spokesman Bernard Valero said Thursday the perpetrators are "spreading false information and fraudulently copying the site of the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs."