What is the Wayfair conspiracy theory?
WAYFAIR, an e-commerce company that sells furniture and home goods, was plagued in 2020 with unfounded childsex-trafficking accusations across Twitter and Reddit.
The theory was never substantiated, but it shows the true power that social media users can hold.
What is the Wayfair conspiracy theory?
The Wayfair conspiracy theory originated because the company's website listed sets of very expensive custom cabinetry, with names that Twitter and Reddit users alleged were also the names of missing children.
The theory quickly spread that Wayfair was part of a human trafficking ring and that the company's website listed children for sale disguised as cabinets.
"Is it possible Wayfair is involved in Human trafficking with their WFX Utility collection? Or are these just extremely overpriced cabinets? (Note the names of the cabinets) this makes me sick to my stomach if it's true," Redditor PrincessPeach1987 questioned, according to .
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Along with the Redditor's statement, a screenshot was shared from Wayfair's website, showing cabinets with first names that social media users say happen to be of missing young girls.
The cabinets pictured were named Neriah, Yaritza, Alyvia, and Samiyah.
Shortly after the posts became viral, suspicions intensified after the cabinet listings were removed from Wayfair's website.
How expensive were the cabinets that were listed?
The cabinets ranged from $12,699.99 to $14,499.99.
What did Wayfair say about its high-priced items?
In a statement to Newsweek, a spokesperson for Wayfair said: "There is, of course, no truth to these claims.
"The products in question are industrial-grade cabinets that are accurately priced.
"Recognizing that the photos and descriptions provided by the supplier did not adequately explain the high price point, we have temporarily removed the products from the site to rename them and to provide a more in-depth description and photos that accurately depict the product to clarify the price point."