Phoney mobile stories spark latest ‘Toothing’ romance trend

It started as a prank that tricked the world’s media but spoof stories about people using their mobile phones to hook up with strangers have come true.

A British internet journalist set up a website two years ago filled with fictional accounts from friends who claimed to have used bluetooth technology to make contact for chat, romance or even sex - a practice the site dubbed “toothing”.

News organisations across the world fell for the story and reported that “toothing” had taken off among commuters.