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Londoners warned against scanning QR codes advertising cannabis (www.standard.co.uk)

submitted 2 months ago by Emperor@feddit.uk to c/london@feddit.uk

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Londoners have been told to not scan QR codes on the growing number of stickers advertising illicit cannabis websites.

Police are wary of the growing number of ads springing up on lamp posts, bus stops and in toilets around the capital which advertise the drug and its delivery.

Inspector Kerry Goodwin, of City of London Police, said that the ads had been found in Soho and around the Leicester Square area, reports My London.

"Investigations are on-going and we’re working with the City of London Corporation to get the stickers removed as soon as we become aware of them,” he said.

“We'd urge members of the public to alert police if they see any of these stickers and to not scan the QR code."

Scanning the codes is said to send the user onto a website where it appears that cannabis can be bought and delivered.

The sites are also said to advertise CBD and other associated products, such as oils and edibles, with a number of made-up reviews attached to give the essence of authenticity.

A spokesperson for the Met said: "We do not believe cannabis, in any form, is benign."

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[–] CodexArcanum@lemmy.world 48 points 2 months ago

Police also stated that any parties you are invited to by these qr codes also will be "totally sweet" and that you definitely should not go to them, and shouldn't get "high as giraffe pussy" at said party. Police urge citizens to cease having fun immediately and report any incidents of other people enjoying themselves.

[–] Dasnap@lemmy.world 43 points 2 months ago (1 children)

I thought it was gonna say it would lead you to a phishing site or something, but no, you can just buy weed there.

My mates are sent literal cocaine menus through WhatsApp; anyone who wants drugs is maybe only 2 steps removed from someone who can give them some.

[–] Emperor@feddit.uk 9 points 2 months ago (2 children)

I thought it was gonna say it would lead you to a phishing site or something, but no, you can just buy weed there.

I was waiting for that and then the police just went "drugs are bad, mkay".

It still technically might be a scam - openly advertising drug deliveries doesn't seem wise as the police could just sit back ordering weed and arresting the couriers (being able to order in criminals has to be better than doing any detective work) then cracking one and working up the organisation (or following one back to base).

[–] MutilationWave@lemmy.world 7 points 2 months ago

It can definitely be a scam. It happened to me and one of the guys involved just kept messing with me. Saying shit like leave your house immediately the police are coming for you - daily. I just told him you already stole my money what is the point continuing to mess with me. And all the messages stopped.

[–] wewbull@feddit.uk 2 points 2 months ago

Black market drugs are always a scam, but seeing as there's no alternative...

[–] Red_October@lemmy.world 37 points 2 months ago (1 children)

So the warning isn't that the QR codes are malicious or could in some way harm your device. The warning appears to be that the QR codes advertising cannabis purchase and delivery could connect to exactly what they say they will.

[–] lurch@sh.itjust.works 17 points 2 months ago

so basically the warning has become some kind of advertising as well now?

[–] Hossenfeffer@feddit.uk 4 points 2 months ago

A spokesperson for the Met said: “We do not believe cannabis, in any form, is benign.”

I do. I miss weed.

[–] ProfessorOwl_PhD@hexbear.net 3 points 2 months ago

“We'd urge members of the public to alert police if they see any of these stickers and to not scan the QR code."

Scanning the codes is said to send the user onto a website where it appears that cannabis can be bought and delivered.

I thought they were gonna be some kind of malicious code delivery thing, not warning people that they actually work

[–] mods_mum@lemmy.today 1 points 2 months ago

I tried a few of those and they are always expired