A report that Thai actor Mario Maurer was ranked seventh on People Magazine's list of the Most Handsome Young Men in the World under age 25 was a hoax.
The story quickly went viral on the internet and was picked up by mainstream media, including the Bangkok Post, after it was released by Mario's agent, Supachai Sriwichit.
Mr Supachai later clarified on a television news show that the "Handsome Young Men" list was in fact a YouTube video posted by a fan known as "metakeeper" in the Philippines.
Sceptical fans who logged on to People magazine’s website found no mention of Mario.
People magazine does publish a "Sexiest Man Alive" issue every year. In this year's edition, published last week, American actor Channing Tatum topped the list.