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11/02/2024 01:24:40 pm

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Famed Graffiti Artist Banksy Arrest Confirmed a Hoax

It has been circulating since early Monday that Banksy, the famous graffiti artist from the United Kingdom, was arrested in London and his identity revealed, causing the topic to trend on Twitter. However, the notorious artist's publicist dismissed the reports, claiming it's a hoax.

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The report was first released via the National Reporter, a US-based news website that is infamously known for penning false stories. The report says that Banksy's studio in London was raided and that he was taken in by London's Metropolitan Police.

The piece also noted that he was being held without bail and had been charged with graffiti, public vandalism, criminal mischief, public indecency, resisting arrest, money laundering, criminal conspiracy, and racketeering.

Banksy's publicist, Jo Brooks, said that it was all just an elaborate hoax as the earlier mentioned news website had also published hoax news back in 2013 targeting the famous graffiti artist.

National Reporter used the name "Paul Horner" as the identity of Banksy in both the 2013 and the 2014 news beat, however, they changed the age in the latest news and even added a lot of details regarding the supposed raid and arrest in order to make it sound more legit and authentic. Horner was allegedly 35-years-old and from Liverpool, Britain.

The news website also added that Brooks as well as Pest Control, the art authentication service, confirmed the alleged arrest.

Banksy's fans began emerging on Twitter shortly after in order to voice their opinions and their thoughts about the hoax that was first believed to be true. Fans have been using the hashtag #FreeBanksy and posting angry messages directed at the cops who supposedly carried out the arrest.

One fan, Pauline Stewart,  tweeted: "Banksy has been arrested.. #freebanksy Jesus Christ go after the real criminals ffs.. Like the bankers and the politicians #45."

Meanwhile, Banksy just debuted his latest work of art at the Bristol as he made a reinterpretation of the Dutch painting called "The Girl With the Pearl Earring". Also, a documentary called "Banksy Does New York" will be aired on HBO on November 17.

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