In 1996, Las Vegas police reported a series of crimes, very disturbing in nature. The crimes were all committed along 'the strip.' The first victim in a series of bizarre events was a young Ohio man in town for a sales convention.

After the first long day of sales meetings, the man decided to wind down by going to sit at the bar, where he met an attrative young woman. The two hit it off, finding much in common to talk about for a couple of hours, and they each consumed a few drinks during this time.

At some point in the evening, the man blacked out. When he awakened, he found himself lying in a hotel bathtub. His body was covered in ice and he was shivering. Beside the bathtub, a phone was set within reach, with a note taped to it that said,

"Call 911 immediately or you will die."

The Ohio man did as the note said, and an ambulance arrived to transport him to the closest hospital.

At the hospital, the man was informed that he had undergone major surgery. One of his kidneys had been removed and he was lucky to be alive.

Apparently the Ohio man was the first known victim of a gang whose livelihood was in selling human organs on the black market.

Several similar instances followed afterward, prompting officials to issue a warning for travellers to the city of Las Vegas.

The perpetrators of these organ harvesting crimes have never been apprehended.

For another version of this urban legend, visit my Writing Campus post:

The Kidney Thieves Urban Legend

Busted: This is not a true story

No evidence really ever existed for this tale, other than the story being passed from mouth to mouth over the last decade or so.

Reasons why people might believe this story, at least in part:

• * People know that 'the strip' area in Las Vegas is a 'transient' area - anyone could pass through this area - including black market organ harvesting gangsters.
• * most people who have ever overindulged at 'the bar' know how easy it is to lose track of the number of alcoholic beverages one is consuming, and end up at the 'blackout' stage of intoxication
• * the story drops down plain, believable, everyday characters in very reasonable situations - an Ohio salesman going to a well-known city where very large conventions are regularly held is totally plausible. The act of meeting up with a stranger, having drinks, and getting along well over several drinks is a common activity that happens with most people at one time or another.
• * the play on peoples' fear of organ harvesting that appears a possibility in an age of transplants, cloning, medical breakthroughts and new medical technology.