The women who inspired a disturbing note that spread a false conspiracy theory that caused panic in Sydney have been identified.
The alarming note, distributed in letterboxes across western Sydney last week, warned residents to avoid the city.
‘Warning, 8 Nov 24. Stay away from the Sydney CBD. Stay safe, stay home,’ it reads.
Many residents who received the note expressed their concerns in community groups, and some took it seriously and shared it on social media.
‘I have this in my mailbox. Anyone else? Does anyone know what this is about?” asked a terrified mother.
“I don’t know where it came from, but I’m staying home with my kids anyway and I thought I’d share it with my fellow moms because whatever it is, we need to protect our babies.”
In response to the panic, New South Wales police were forced to assure the public not to take the threats seriously.
“There is no credible information to substantiate these claims, and the information has been assessed as unfounded and unsubstantiated,” they said.
Daily Mail Australia can now reveal that the notes were inspired by conspiracy theorists Annette Calarco and Doris Duriye Osman, who warned their followers to prepare for a major catastrophe on Friday, November 8.
Dozens of families in Sydney received a disturbing conspiracy-inspired note last week. NSW Police were forced to reassure the public not to take the threats seriously.
They claimed the disaster “may involve nuclear explosives” and “cause a tsunami along the east coast of New South Wales,” Osman wrote on his Telegram channel.
His followers argued about stocking up on fresh water and other essentials, and fleeing to the Blue Mountains, and Osman urged them to keep their children out of school that day.
When tsunami-free Friday arrived, Calarco changed his stance and claimed that the disaster had been avoided thanks to the awareness he had raised.
However, he faced backlash for inciting panic.
Daily Mail Australia can now reveal that the notes were inspired by conspiracy theorists Annette Calarco and Doris Duriye Osman, who warned their followers to prepare for a major catastrophe on Friday, November 8.
“Now we are being crucified by people who have come out of nowhere, have not looked at anything and have jumped on the bandwagon of hate,” he said on Instagram.
‘We’re not apologizing guys, we’re not going to do that. I know perfectly well that you are completely uninformed: you want to kill the messenger.
Calarco has a large following on social media for her efforts to rehome stray cats.
Osman, meanwhile, is a naturopath who sells products through her Instagram store, including seeds and water filtration systems.
In 2021 he worked for the anti-vaccine group Reignite Democracy Australia.