Red mercury is an old myth brought back into the spotlight in Morocco following the dismantling of a criminal network in Marrakech that exploited the illusion of a supposed substance believed to reveal treasures and precious metals, marking one of the most notorious fraud operations that have recurred over the years.
The network took advantage of some individuals’ obsession with illegal excavation and the quest for quick wealth, promoting the possession of a material with supernatural properties, despite repeated scientific assurances that there is no evidence supporting these claims.
The roots of the “red mercury” myth trace back to the 1970s, when it was used as misleading information during the Cold War, before evolving into a popular legend in several Middle Eastern and North African countries, a phenomenon that social media has helped revive and disseminate widely.
Experts in archaeology and chemistry confirm that what is known by this name is nothing more than a common substance called mercury sulfide, which was used historically as a pigment and possesses no extraordinary properties or abilities to detect treasures or any nuclear applications.
The recent incident has rekindled the discussion on the need to enhance scientific awareness and confront misleading content, especially as digital fraud networks increasingly exploit some individuals’ ignorance and desire for quick profits.
