![A gallery assistant poses for a photographer as she walks past a work of art depicting Winston Churchill in the first unauthorised retrospective of works by British graffiti artist Banksy in London on June 6, 2014. The retrospective runs at Sotheby's S/2 Gallery from June 11 to June 25, 2014. AFP PHOTO / JUSTIN TALLIS - RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE, MANDATORY MENTION OF THE ARTIST UPON PUBLICATION, TO ILLUSTRATE THE EVENT AS SPECIFIED IN THE CAPTION (Photo credit should read JUSTIN TALLI](https://img.huffingtonpost.com/asset/5d018067240000511788f4c2.jpeg?ops=scalefit_720_noupscale)
Elusive graffiti artist Banksy’s cover was blown when he was unceremoniously arrested for vandalism, conspiracy, racketeering and counterfeiting.
Well that’s what US website the National Report would have you believe.
The bogus story alleged the infamous street artist was arrested following a raid on his London studio.
It ‘outs’ him as Paul Horner, a 34-year-old born in Liverpool and says he is being held “without” bail, along with four other, unnamed individuals.
Banksy's publicist Jo Brooks confirmed to the Independent the now viral story is a hoax.
Indeed the quotes which accompany the piece date back to an identical spoof in February last year, which claimed Banksy had been arrested on the same charges and outed as, yep, Paul Horner.
So basically the internet is now recycling its own hoaxes. Lazy.