Wayfair: Internet calls for FBI probe into e-commerce platform even after it rubbishes child trafficking claims
Hours after the Wayfair child trafficking conspiracy theory took the internet by storm, social media users, on Saturday, July 11, took to Twitter to rubbish the company's dismissal of the claims and are now asking for an FBI investigation. Wayfair, an American e-commerce company that sells furniture, began trending on social media on Friday morning, July 10, after thousands of people took to Twitter to indulge in a conspiracy theory, accusing Wayfair of child trafficking. The theory started after people noticed that the company was charging exorbitant prices for items like storage cabinets and throw pillows, and although all of the items appeared identical they allegedly had different names written on the item descriptions.
Wayfair later released a statement dismissing the theory, saying: "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 site to rename them and to provide a more in-depth description and photos that accurately depict the product to clarify the price point."
Twitter users, however, are not convinced of Wayfair's blatant dismissal of the claims, with many calling for the Federal Investigation of Bureau (FBI) to probe the child trafficking claims against the company. "We’ve heard from #Wayfair, now let’s hear from the @FBI . #GhislaineMaxwell may be draining the pedo swamp," one user wrote. Several social media users have linked the Wayfair conspiracy theory to Ghislaine Maxwell, late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein's alleged co-conspirator. Maxwell was recently arrested for aiding and participating in a pedophile ring headed by Epstein. Many believe that Maxwell, who is currently in a New York prison, might have tipped off people about Wayfair.
One Twitter user slammed Wayfair's statement, saying: "Oh. Gee. Thanks Wayfair, for confirming that. We believe you. Because you said so. Actually, the biggest piece of evidence that there is something really to this Wayfair theory is the onslaught of articles calling it a conspiracy theory and saying it’s “confirmed” that it’s not. Like a major corporation is really just going to put out an announcement, on Twitter like 'Oh gee you’re right. You caught us. We are in fact child traffickers. Haul us off to prison now.'"
"Wayfair investigates themselves and says that they did nothing wrong and it’s perfectly normal to sell $5 items for $12,000 named after missing children," another added.
Some social media users believe that the furniture and home-goods company is selling "missing children" through their high-priced cabinets and throw pillows costing nearly $10,000 to $12,000 and $9,000. Multiple Twitter users posted pictures of the website's high-priced cabinets, which users claim are listed alongside people's names. They claimed that although the cabinets or the "large boxes" looked like the same product, they all had different names, mostly of girls, allegedly, and particularly of missing children. One user wrote: "So all the names pull up missing females. I searched Neriah and she is missing since 2010. YARITZA is also a missing female."
A second wrote: "Anons may have busted a human sex trafficking ring from a seller on WayFair. Selling $10K cabinets that are worth $200 with names of missing children. @FBI @Wayfair An investigation is worthy." While a third also called for an FB probe, writing: "if true, Wayfair needs to be investigated by FBI. Investigate LIKE NOW!"