What would social media be without people attempting to spread lies about a national tragedy? If you said “much better, thanks”, we’d agree with you. Sadly, there has been so much misinformation spread around Facebook and Twitter about the tragedy in Newtown, Connecticut that state police have just threatened to prosecute anyone caught in the act.

The misinformation being investigated is not only serious, but disturbing. Delinquents have been contacting town residents and parents of the deceased claiming to be the gunman in last week’s horrific Sandy Hook school shooting. Some are even taking on false identies online, claiming to be the children or teachers pronounced dead. This is a classic example of criminal impersonation and it’s a felony.

ZK Research analyst Zeus Kerravala noted, “Fake posts and tweets obstruct the investigation. I think fake posts are for attention. Never underestimate an idiot in situations like this. For many people, negative attention is better than no attention.”

To anyone currently perpetrating criminal impersonation, wondering how Connecticut police would be able to touch them:

1. Since you are most likely crossing state lines to commit this crime, you can be investigated by the FBI. And if you’re impersonating another for financial gain, you’re probably being investigated already.

2. Please stop reading this blog. We don’t want your traffic.