The women who inspired a disturbing note that spread a false conspiracy theory that sparked panic across Sydney have been identified.
The alarming note, distributed in letterboxes across Western Sydney last week, warned residents to avoid the city.
‘Warning, 8th Nov 24. Stay out of the Sydney CBD. Stay safe, stay home,’ it reads.
Many residents who received the note raised concerns in community groups, with some taking it seriously and sharing it on social media.
‘I got this in my letterbox. Has anyone else? Does anyone know what it’s about,’ one terrified mother asked.
‘I don’t know where it came from, but I will be staying at home with my kiddies regardless and thought I would share with my fellow mums because whatever this is we need to protect our babies.’
In response to the panic, NSW Police were forced to reassure the public not to take the threats seriously.
‘There is no credible information to substantiate these claims, and the information has been assessed as baseless and without merit,’ they said.
Daily Mail can now reveal that the notes were inspired by conspiracy theorists Annette Calarco and Doris Duriye Osman, who warned their followers to prepare for a major catastrophe on Friday, November 8.
They claimed the disaster ‘may involve nuclear explosives’ and ’cause a tsunami along the east coast of NSW’, Osman wrote in their Telegram channel.
Their followers discussed stocking up on freshwater and other essentials, and fleeing to the Blue Mountains – and Osman urged them to keep their kids out of school on the day.
When Friday came and went without any tsunamis, Calarco shifted her stance, claiming that the disaster had been averted due to the awareness she raised.
However, she faced backlash for inciting panic.
‘Now we’re being crucified by people who’ve come out of nowhere, they haven’t looked at anything and they’ve jumped on the hating band wagon,’ she said on Instagram.
‘We’re not apologising guys, we’re not doing that. I absolutely know that you guys are completely uninformed – you want to shoot the messenger.’
Calarco has a large social media following for her efforts to rehome stray cats.
Meanwhile Osman, is a naturopath who sells products through her Instagram store, including seeds and water filtration systems.
In 2021 she worked for the anti-vaxxer group Reignite Democracy .