Essex Police have scotched a terrorism scare story doing the rounds across the county.
The tale involves a good Samaritan who returns a dropped wallet stuffed with money to a middle-eastern man.
As a reward, the man warns him to stay out of London on a specific date. An alternative version involves a woman standing behind a similar man in a shop who is struggling to find the change for his purchases.
She gives him £1 and he gives her the same advice. The story is spreading by word of mouth and e-mail.
An Essex Police spokesman said: "This is what's known as an urban myth. We are aware of it, as is every other force in the country. The story is completely without foundation."
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