Arab terrorists purchased candy in New Jersey as part of a plot to distribute poisoned Halloween candy.

See the email here.

No.

On October 17, a man purchased $15,000 worth of candy at two Costco stores in Wayne and Hackensack, New Jersey. Costco employees were suspicious of the purchase reported it to local police who reported it to the FBI.

Both the man and the candy were later found. The man was detained on immigration charges.

An FBI spokeswoman, Sandra Carroll, said "We do not have any evidence that suggests that the purchases of these items was not for legitimate purposes."

This rumor combined two powerful concerns: the fear and anxiety of bioterrorism and the ever popular urban legend of poisoned candy. It's not surprising the email has proved popular.

But compared to other post-September 11th rumors and legends, this distorted news factoid isn't the most popular. It didn't spread with the speed of the Afghan boyfriend's Halloween warning or the prophecy of Nostradamus. It lacked the pathos of the unlucky tourist. Maybe its mention of New Jersey locales limited its national appeal.

• "FBI: Candy purchases seem legitimate" from the Bergen Record
• "Large candy purchases investigated by FBI" from the Bergen Record
• "Police: Don't Fear Returned Candy" from the Associated Press

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