Imagine going to your favorite store to buy an article of clothing, only to find an SOS tucked inside. Shahkiel Akbar was stunned after discovering a note inside a pair of black cotton-rich socks. He is the second Primark shopper to come across a letter claiming to be from a Chinese sweatshop worker working under poor conditions.

Akbar purchased the footwear from the value retailer’s store in Newcastle. The call center worker, from Fenham, Newcastle, became alarmed after translating the note. The 25-year-old found an app on his phone that allowed him to take a picture of the words and translate them into English.

What he discovered was what appeared to be a desperate cry for help. “It was an SOS from a 39-year-old man living in China. From the words I could translate you could see he was distressed,” he said.

IMAGE SOURCE: EXAMINER

Akbar told the Chronicle, “I knew it was something sinister when I saw it. I was really shocked. I do feel responsible now I have found this.”

IMAGE SOURCE: TWITTER

A spokesman for the large retailer says the company believes him to be the latest in a line of customers to become caught up in an elaborate hoax, which has seen similar letters turning up among clothing bought across the country. The spokesman says the retailer believes its products are being hijacked by someone trying to gain publicity, and the letter has nothing to do with its staff or suppliers.

IMAGE SOURCE: METRO.UK

He said, “The Primark name is being used to gain publicity for the plight of this individual.”

What do you think? Did this actually happen, or is it a hoax?

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