Blood libels are false and sensationalized allegations that a person or group engages in human sacrifice, often accompanied by the claim that the blood of victims is used in various rituals and/or acts of cannibalism. The alleged victims are often children.
The social stigma against cannibalism has been used as an aspect of propaganda against an enemy by accusing them of acts of cannibalism to separate them from their humanity.
The Satanic Smurf Craze was a widespread rumour or urban legend that came to a head in 1983 in Puerto Rico. It was similar to other Latin American scares, such as the chupacabra and the Gnome sightings in Argentina. The rumours told of how people had been seeing Smurfs dressed as The Devil, and practising Satanism. Some have linked the rumours to the fact that in an episode of The Smurfs television series, Gargamel makes the mark of a pentagram on the floor and generally practises black magic. Papa Smurf also creates potions and spells, which are considered by some to be a form of magic.