Claim: A nine-year-old boy named Justin Smith has gone missing on his bike. A silver alert has been activated to find him.
Fact-check: Appeal for missing 'Justin Smith' is a hoax - Full Fact
Verdict: this appeal is a hoax. the child pictured is actually a teenager who went missing in new york state in july but was later found. silver alerts are not used in the uk.
Organisation: Full Fact
Author: Sarah Turnnidge
Date published: 2023-08-01T00:00:00