Don't listen to Twitter, Edward Snowden is alive

On Wednesday evening, a rumour spread that former NSA contractor Edward Snowden had died. The rumour was spread by a fake Twitter handle of Vladimir Kolokoltsev, Interior Minister of the Russian Federation.

Former NSA contractor Edward J. Snowden was found died few minutes ago in his home. No details. — Vladimir Kolokoltsev (@RussiaIntMinist) May 6, 2015

Interior Minister Kolokoltsev and Anatoly Koucherena to meet the press at 5pm today on Snowden's death.

— Vladimir Kolokoltsev (@RussiaIntMinist) May 6, 2015

A check reveals that the fake handle was created on May 5, just a day ago - perhaps only to cause the mischief it did today.

Needless to say, the press conference never happened.

Funnily enough, 'Mr Kolokoltsev' has now plainly admitted that the handle is fake:

This account is hoax created by Italian journalist Tommasso Debenedetti. — Vladimir Kolokoltsev (@RussiaIntMinist) May 6, 2015

But this is not the first time that a fake Twitter account of the 'Russian Interior Minister' has made false claims. Previously, it also declared Syrian President Bashar al-Assad to be dead.

The offender in question, Tommaso De Benedetti has a reputation for creating fake Twitter handles to spread false news about important personalities. A freelance journalist, Benedetti has also conducted several fake interviews with leading personalities, which were published in Western media. The people in question denied ever having spoken to Benedetti.

Here are some of Benedetti's fake tweets, which have since been deleted.

@CardBertone: His holiness Benedict XVI has passed away. We announce the news with great pain and consternation. 8 March 2012

@PresHamidKarzai: The attack agains Afghan civ is an act of war. 12 March 2012

@presMarioMonti: The news of the death of Fidel Castro has been confirmed to me by EU vicepresident Olli Rehn. 6 March 2012

@MinistroMontoro: The Spanish government announces the death of the director Pedro Almodovar. 23 March 2012

@PresAssadSyria: Documents published yesterday by a Uk newspaper are hoaxes created agaist Syria and my family. 19 March 2012

The journalist, who is originally a school teacher, claims that he spreads fake news on social media in order to expose the unreliability of the medium. In an interview with the Guardian in 2012, he revealed how easy it was to create and change fake accounts of important world leaders and intellectuals.

The fake tweets about Snowden though have already led to a surge of reactions on Twitter. Many people actually believed (and continue to believe) the news.

It needs COURAGE to stand against INJUSTICE and WRONG. Edward Snowden did that. — ???? ????? (@ManojMehra2610) May 6, 2015

RiP in Peace, Edward Snowden... You were an American Hero, just like Chris Kyle — Justin (@JustinCase_X13) May 6, 2015

Some news coming in about death of Edward Snowden. Hope it's not true! — Ankit Lal (@ankitlal) May 6, 2015

 Edward Snowden, who became famous after he leaked classified information from the National Security Agency (NSA) to the mainstream media, is currently living in Russia on a 3-year residency permit.