A viral rumor that people are selling their toes for cash and cars in Zimbabwe spread rapidly across African social media this week, particularly in Nigeria. The story centers on a widely shared Twitter video of a man who claims to have cut off his toe and Whatsapp screenshots that purportedly tell the same story.

The story spread around the continent and subsequently around the world, with radio stations and websites in Kenya, Uganda and Nigeria joking about the selling of body parts this week.

How Much for this Toe in Zimbabwe? pic.twitter.com/lXZ5mLJboG

— Arturo (@Ke_Arturo) May 31, 2022

The rumor purports that big toes are selling for $40,000 in Zimbabwe, middle toes for $15,000, and small toes for $10,000 and that the chopped-off body parts are used in witchcraft rituals to generate money.

George Kandiero, President of the Zimbabwe National Traditional Healers Association, said to Zimbabwean news site Bulawayo 24 that the toe-selling rumor “tarnishes the reputation” of the traditional healing profession, that nobody would pay that much for toes anyways and practicing body-part based blood magic can have very bad consequences for yourself and for future generations.

My Friends and I visiting our homeboy who refused to go to Zimbabwe 😂 pic.twitter.com/Q6ot5kESvR

— The Upcoming Economist😎 (@Williamsjere99) May 31, 2022

Reports from other Zimbabwean news outlets trace the origin of the rumor to dealers of goods at Ximex Mall, an abandoned shopping center in the capital.

Apparently, it all started as a joke made by dealers about colleagues who would suddenly show up in luxury cars without any explanation of how they bought them that "was blown out of proportion." One dealer, committing to the bit, told a magazine that he works as an agent for the real buyers of toes, who "just come here with bags and tell us to fill the bags with toes," that snakes are used in the process and that to get your toes cut off you must pay a "joining fee" of $200.

In Zimbabwe, people have started selling their toes for thousands of dollars. This is due to the high cost of living and failure for the government to create jobs. The toes is being bought at $40,000 dollars (N16m) While the smaller ones at $20,000 dollars (N8m) pic.twitter.com/WfyphuYred

— The 9 (@InnocentZikky) May 30, 2022

me after 2 days in Zimbabwe pic.twitter.com/QnMhvmhh63

— babylon. (@broztitute) May 31, 2022

The grisly tale has been labeled a hoax by the BBC's Disinformation Unit and no major Zimbabwean paper has picked up on the story.

Disinformation has proven to be a major problem in places where trusted, well-funded and accessible journalism can be scarce. Recent changes in Twitter’s policy towards disinformation are directed towards disinformation problems in these parts of the world, and outlets with an international following like the BBC have invested in disinformation-debunking units that publish articles in local languages.

#Chigunwe
If @BBC didn't come out and speak about these rituals "happening" in #Zimbabwe, I wouldn't have known the truth.https://t.co/ohw9EtfGwX
An apparent social media ruse about people selling their toes for large amounts is being taken more seriously elsewhere in Africa.

— PRODIGAL SON🇿🇲 (@GEORGE_PENESHI) June 1, 2022

The story does strike a real nerve, however, as human trafficking is a global problem, especially in countries where many people live in economic precarity and are vulnerable. People also need money and the global economy has been shaken by recent events.

Many parts of the world that depend on imports of Ukrainian grain no longer have access to that food supply due to Russia's ongoing invasion, and commentators fear that famines may set in. In the last few months, some African countries have also seen inflation rates rise by double or even triple digits.

I’m sick of the tribalism in Zimbabwe. I’ve spent all day trying to find someone who buys toes in matebeleland… zero. Not a single one. Guys we need to end this division. We all want cars nhai

— marcie wilks (@marcie4neil) May 29, 2022

As the bizarre story continued to spread online, many memers joked about how enthusiastically they would cut off their toes for such money.

Transport available tomorrow for those going to Zimbabwe to secure the bag and get their toes cut, it’s time to say goodbye to poverty. Hit me up 0721905778 pic.twitter.com/obgdUdhhLn

— Call me Thabo🩸 (@Callmethaboo2nd) May 31, 2022

Me going back to my village after selling my toes in Zimbabwe. pic.twitter.com/xLeVztMw4q

— DME 🇳🇦 (@dme_363) June 1, 2022

Sportscars figured prominently in the memes, with many suggesting they would use their toe profits to buy status symbols.

Me and my friends going to visit our friend who refused to join us to Zimbabwe 😂😂😂💔💔💔 pic.twitter.com/gp4mfD6DZB

— Your LANDlord ⛪⛪ (@OSTEOPOROSIST1) June 1, 2022

Me and my friends visiting the one who refused to cut his toe pic.twitter.com/JrXbyRMLx8

— ɴ ᴏ ᴄ ᴛ ᴀ 𓅓⁶ (@Noctaspapiiii) June 1, 2022

Puns about “clip toe currency” or "cryptoe currency" also circulated widely, particularly on Twitter.

Zimbabwe has Clip Toe currency 💀💀 pic.twitter.com/2uxOVRd86U

— HTK (@frumfree) May 31, 2022