A long-running hoax has resurfaced among Facebook users, urging them not to accept friend requests from an account called Jayden K Smith.
The well-meaning message warns friends and family that Jayden K Smith is a hacker who will gain access to your account if you accept their invitation.
It says Smith is a hacker who 'has the system connected to your Facebook account'.
Although some users of the site do add strangers for nefarious purposes, in this particular case the chain message is a prank.
The messages have gone viral in recent days with a number of named individuals, including Jayden K Smith, blamed for the hack attacks.
One variation of the message reads: 'Please tell all the contacts in your Messenger list, not to accept Jayden K Smith's friendship request.
'He is a hacker and has the system connected to your Facebook account.
'If one of your contacts accepts it, you will also be hacked, so make sure that all your friends know it. Thanks. Forwarded as received.'
Sending large numbers of friendship requests to unknown accounts is against Facebook's terms and conditions and would likely prompt a reaction from the site.
No activity of this type has been found by a user called Jayden K Smith.
And hackers are not able to infect your machine simply by adding you as a friend.
According to fact checking website Snopes.com, the hoax has been circulating for years in various formats.
Different names, including Jayden K Smith, Anwar Jitou and Roland Dreyer, are used, but the basic message remains the same.
In a written statement on the site, a spokesman said these examples are 'variants of a long-running hoax, one which warns readers not to allow contact from a particular person or group because dire consequences will result.'
They added: 'Variants of these messages are circulated endlessly, with different names swapped in and out as various pranksters decide to play jokes on people they know by inserting their acquaintances' names and addresses into the warning in place of the existing information.'
The response has sent social media into meltdown, with messages posted by people who have seen through the trick.
Twitter users were quick to jump in on the bandwagon, mocking those taken in by the con.
Sean Maher said: 'I don't know who 'Jayden K Smith' is on Facebook but he's sent every middle-aged friend I have into social overdrive.'
Avish Ramgolam added: 'No one can hack your fb account by sending you a friend request, including jayden k. Smith.'
One joker claiming to be the much maligned Mr Smith said: 'I just want to be your friend.
But not everyone saw through the deception, with a number repeating the fake warning.
Although the purpose of the hoax is unclear, people who receives the message should inform the sender that it is a scam.