Lynne Knowles of Dunedin, FloriDUH, you need to "Pruvit" before you post it

A few days ago, Lynne Knowles of Dunedin, FloriDUH , a person who sells shitty pyramid scheme... excuse me, "multi-level marketing" diet drinks, posted a video claiming she was almost a victim of "sex trafficking. For some reason, a video of this hysterical woman has gotten over 14 million views, and people still watch it even after she had to admit she was full of shit This video even popped up among my own followers.

Knowles is part of a growing number of MeToo era paranoid women who thinks because she's at best nominally attractive (if you like the airhead, dumber than a box of rocks types), that random strangers just follow them around stores and kidnap them for the sex trade.

Anyone who has been shopping knows most people go down the aisles in the same direction, and many people are on their phones. Yet, what was once a mundane part of existence was enough to make this nutjob think she was being targeted by roving bands of sex traffickers. She's not the first idiot to make a video, but she's gotten too much attention for her paranoia. Lynne, stick with your pyramid product schemes and leave this subject to people a lot less paranoid than you. Next time, Lynne, you need to "Pruvit" before you post it.

https://www.abc15.com/news/woman-warns-others-after-being-targeted-by-potential-human-trafficking-tactic-at-grocery-store

Florida woman admits mistake in 'human trafficking' viral video
Ryan Smith
7:12 PM, Sep 17, 2018
3:56 PM, Sep 18, 2018

DUNEDIN, Fla. — The woman behind a now viral Facebook Live video says she regrets using the term 'human trafficking' to describe what happened at a local grocery store but does not regret bringing awareness to the issue.

Lynne Knowles went live on Facebook Sunday and it has since been viewed more than 3 million times.

Knowles described a suspicious man following her through several aisles of a local grocery store, recording her on his cell phone.

"Some of the backlash that’s come today about me using the terminology human trafficking has been well taken. As I look back it was a hotbed term that had been used by many of my friends who were aware of the strange happenings in parking lots and grocery stores. I truly was only trying to help. I had absolutely no idea it would go viral. Although I have regret for using the terminology human trafficking, I have absolutely no regrets for bringing awareness to an issue that is happening. There are some very strange incidents that I have not only experienced, but I’m aware of happening also to my friends. Bringing awareness to such can only be a positive. It is my hope that everyone that saw that video utilizes the knowledge they gained to be more aware of their surroundings and to be a better neighbor, be a better person, and try to help someone when you can."

Polaris Project says traffickers are more likely use control tactics like sexual assault, withholding money, and isolating victims from friends and family.

While the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office says they are seeing more women reportedly being followed by strangers in public places, what happened to Knowles doesn't sound like a precursor to human trafficking.

"The word human trafficking a lot of times, you know, strikes a nerve and makes people nervous, as it should," said Sgt. Spencer Gross.

Polaris Project reports an increase in human trafficking calls and tips to its hotline in Florida. The non-profit received 410 reports statewide in 2015, 555 in 2016, and 604 in 2017.

The Pinellas County Sheriff's Office says it hasn't investigated a human trafficking case in more than 18 months. 

Sgt. Gross spoke with Knowles Tuesday about the viral video and believes she misinterpreted the term. But adds that her message of staying alert in public places is an important one.

"People need to be aware of their surroundings, they need to pay attention, and they also definitely need to report any suspicious behavior to their local law enforcement," said Sgt. Gross.

https://www.wfla.com/news/pinellas-county/deputies-pinellas-woman-backtracks-on-human-trafficking-claims-in-viral-video/1457273751

Perry also confirmed to the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office that she never filed a police report for the August incident, when she says she was forced to confront a man following her around a store.

Perry shared the Facebook Live video on Sunday, claiming that female shoppers, including herself, have been targeted by men seeking to snatch potential victims from stores in Pinellas County. The video, which has the title "PLEASE BE AWARE OF THE DANGER OF HUMAN TRAFFICKING!!," has surpassed 2 million views on Facebook. 

"I had a man follow me throughout the store," said Perry. "They are just looking to grab people."

The Pinellas County Sheriff's Office tells 8 On Your Side that their detectives haven't investigated any reports of human trafficking in more than 18 months.

https://www.snopes.com/news/2018/09/19/woman-stands-descriptions-sexual-harassment-viral-human-trafficking-video/

It’s no surprised Knowles initially suspected her safety concerns were related to human trafficking, because the term has been rocketing around the Internet, although it is often employed in the service of bogus conspiracy theories. The Pizzagate conspiracy theory perhaps most famously (and falsely) accused 2016 presidential candidate Hillary Clinton and other prominent Democrats of running a child trafficking ring out of a basement at a Washington, D.C. pizza restaurant (which actually has no basement).

Since the Pizzagate phenomenon, similarly outlandish claims have been fed into cyberspace, including a June 2018 incident in which a group of men stumbled into what they claimed to be a “bunker” used for child sex trafficking. Police investigated and determined the “bunker” was nothing more than an abandoned homeless encampment. (Child trafficking is also a key component to the far-fetched but popular fabrication that is the Qanon conspiracy theory.)

Regardless of terminology, Knowles said the reason she posted her video was to warn women to be careful and had no ill intent. “The video speaks for itself and the intent was only to bring good and awareness to people. That’s all.”