South Korean officials determined messages thought to be from passengers on a capsized ferry were actually hoaxes, Korea Real Time reported on Thursday.
Hundreds of text messages had been sent to family members and friends of the ferry's missing passengers, apparently from the trapped individuals' phones.
"Dad, don't worry. I've got a life vest on and we're huddled together," one text read. Another: "Mom, I'm sending this message now in case I don't get to say it later: I love you."
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But officials from South Korea's Cyber Terror Response Center said records showed no phone calls, messages or other communications had been made after the ferry sank. Police are investigating the hoax, and they said whoever is behind the messages will face criminal charges.
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