The news that police were investigating whether Nigel Farage lost his parliamentary election because of fraud stoked the conspiracy theorists behind the #ThanetRigged hashtag.
But hours after the investigation became public and stoked their imagination, Kent Police said they had found no evidence to back it up.
Claims of suspicious behaviour surfaced following a lengthy delay in declaring the seat's results at Margate's Winter Gardens, which eventually happened hours after it was originally expected.
Conspiracy theories were also fuelled because Ukip won control of the district council, despite Farage losing.
Kent Police said the investigation was launched after someone from outside the county became concerned "due to speculation on social media" and contacted them.
A spokesman said: "Initial inquiries by officers have been carried out and so far no evidence of electoral fraud has been found."
But their conclusions left some unconvinced.
One Tweeter said the Tories had stolen 200000 ballot papers and had shut down the police investigation.
Others suspected the only reason police investigated in the first place was to fulfill an obligation.
Farage lost out in the seat to the Conservatives' Craig Mackinlay, who racked up 18,838 votes to Farage's 16,026.
Thanet District Council said in a statement: "A single complaint has been lodged with Kent Police by a member of the public, from outside of the county, with concerns around the Thanet parliamentary election - following speculation on social media.
"Kent Police has an obligation to follow up this complaint. Thanet District Council is not under investigation for election fraud.
"The council's returning officer is satisfied that the correct processes were followed and a member of the Electoral Commission was present at the election in Thanet.
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"In response to the speculation on social media: Thanet's parliamentary boundary is larger than the district boundary - extending into the Canterbury and Dover area - so comparing the parliamentary and district election results is misleading.
"There were no lost or stolen ballot papers."
Farage quit as Ukip leader after he failed to win the seat but his resignation was rejected by the party's national executive committee.
He remains as leader and has said he still wanted to be in parliament and would seek a by-election to stand in.
Nigel Farage on the campaign trail
General Election 2015 campaign - April 30th(01 of38)
Ukip Leader Nigel Farage is mobbed by media and supporters during a General Election campaign visit to Aylesbury in Buckinghamshire. (credit:Gareth Fuller/PA Wire)
General Election 2015 campaign - April 30th(02 of38)
Ukip Leader Nigel Farage is mobbed by media and supporters during a General Election campaign visit to Aylesbury in Buckinghamshire. (credit:Gareth Fuller/PA Wire)
General Election 2015 campaign - April 30th(03 of38)
Ukip Leader Nigel Farage, with Chris Adams (left) Ukip parlimentary candidate for Aylesbury in Buckinghamshire, greets a supporter during a General Election campaign visit to the town. (credit:Gareth Fuller/PA Wire)
General Election 2015 campaign - April 30th(04 of38)
Ukip Leader Nigel Farage, with Chris Adams (left) Ukip parlimentary candidate for Aylesbury in Buckinghamshire, is mobbed by media and supporters during a General Election campaign visit to the town. (credit:Gareth Fuller/PA Wire)
General Election 2015 campaign - April 30th(05 of38)
Ukip Leader Nigel Farage, with Chris Adams (left) Ukip parlimentary candidate for Aylesbury in Buckinghamshire, greets a supporter during a General Election campaign visit to the town. (credit:Gareth Fuller/PA Wire)
General Election 2015 campaign - May 2nd(06 of38)
Ukip Leader Nigel Farage gives morning interviews in Ramsgate, Kent, ahead of a day of campaigning for the Thanet South seat at the upcoming General Election. (credit:Gareth Fuller/PA Wire)
General Election 2015 campaign - May 2nd(07 of38)
Ukip Leader Nigel Farage gives morning interviews in Ramsgate, Kent, ahead of a day of campaigning for the Thanet South seat at the upcoming General Election. (credit:Gareth Fuller/PA Wire)
General Election 2015 campaign - May 2nd(08 of38)
Ukip Leader Nigel Farage gives morning interviews in Ramsgate, Kent, ahead of a day of campaigning for the Thanet South seat at the upcoming General Election. (credit:Gareth Fuller/PA Wire)
General Election 2015 campaign - May 2nd(09 of38)
Ukip Leader Nigel Farage gives morning interviews in Ramsgate, Kent, ahead of a day of campaigning for the Thanet South seat at the upcoming General Election. (credit:Gareth Fuller/PA Wire)
General Election 2015 campaign - May 4(10 of38)
Ukip leader Nigel Farage meets a member of the public during the General Election campaign in Cliftonville, Kent. (credit:Gareth Fuller/PA Wire)
General Election 2015 campaign - May 4(11 of38)
Ukip leader Nigel Farage (centre) meets members of the public at the Belle Vue public house during the General Election campaign in Cliftonville, Kent. (credit:Gareth Fuller/PA Wire)
General Election 2015 campaign - May 4(12 of38)
Ukip leader Nigel Farage meets a member of the public during the General Election campaign in Cliftonville, Kent. (credit:Gareth Fuller/PA Wire)
UK General Election 2015 - UK Politics Through A Washington Lens(13 of38)
AYLESBURY, UNITED KINGDOM - APRIL 30: UK Independence Party (UKIP) leader Nigel Farage (C) campaigns with UKIP parliamentary candidate Chris Adams (2nd L) underneath a statue of John Hampden in Market Square on April 30, 2015 in Aylesbury, England. With the general election a week away, Farage met with supporters and critics alike in central Aylesbury, the home of John Hampden, a leading 17th century parliamentarian involved in challenging the authority of Charles I of England and who died during battle in 1643 during the English Civil War. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images) (credit:Chip Somodevilla via Getty Images)
UK General Election 2015 - UK Politics Through A Washington Lens(14 of38)
AYLESBURY, UNITED KINGDOM - APRIL 30: UK Independence Party (UKIP) leader Nigel Farage (C) campaigns with UKIP parliamentary candidate Chris Adams (L) underneath a statue of John Hampden in Market Square on April 30, 2015 in Aylesbury, England. A natural campaigner, Farage has a confidence and charisma that invites a crush of party supporters, journalists and curious onlookers whenever he appears in public. Farage made of point of talking about Aylesbury being the home of John Hampden, a leading 17th century parliamentarian involved in challenging the authority of Charles I of England and who died during battle in 1643 during the English Civil War. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images) (credit:Chip Somodevilla via Getty Images)
UK General Election 2015 - UK Politics Through A Washington Lens(15 of38)
AYLESBURY, UNITED KINGDOM - APRIL 30: UK Independence Party (UKIP) leader Nigel Farage (C) campaigns with UKIP parliamentary candidate Chris Adams (L) underneath a statue of John Hampden in Market Square on April 30, 2015 in Aylesbury, England. A natural campaigner, Farage has a confidence and charisma that invites a crush of party supporters, journalists and curious onlookers whenever he appears in public. Farage made of point of talking about Aylesbury being the home of John Hampden, a leading 17th century parliamentarian involved in challenging the authority of Charles I of England and who died during battle in 1643 during the English Civil War. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images) (credit:Chip Somodevilla via Getty Images)
UK General Election 2015 - UK Politics Through A Washington Lens(16 of38)
AYLESBURY, UNITED KINGDOM - APRIL 30: UK Independence Party (UKIP) leader Nigel Farage (C) campaigns with UKIP parliamentary candidate Chris Adams (L) underneath a statue of John Hampden in Market Square on April 30, 2015 in Aylesbury, England. A natural campaigner, Farage has a confidence and charisma that invites a crush of party supporters, journalists and curious onlookers whenever he appears in public. Farage made of point of talking about Aylesbury being the home of John Hampden, a leading 17th century parliamentarian involved in challenging the authority of Charles I of England and who died during battle in 1643 during the English Civil War. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images) (credit:Chip Somodevilla via Getty Images)
UK General Election 2015 - UK Politics Through A Washington Lens(17 of38)
AYLESBURY, UNITED KINGDOM - APRIL 30: UK Independence Party (UKIP) leader Nigel Farage steps back into his vehicle after campaigning in Market Square on April 30, 2015 in Aylesbury, England. A natural campaigner, Farage has a confidence and charisma that invites a crush of party supporters, journalists and curious onlookers whenever he appears in public. Farage made of point of talking about Aylesbury being the home of John Hampden, a leading 17th century parliamentarian involved in challenging the authority of Charles I of England and who died during battle in 1643 during the English Civil War. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images) (credit:Chip Somodevilla via Getty Images)
BRITAIN-POLITICS-VOTE-UKIP(18 of38)
UK Independence Party (UKIP) leader Nigel Farage (2R) is surrounded by media during a UK general election campaign event in the market square in Aylesbury on April 30, 2015. Britain goes to the polls on May 7 to elect a new parliament. AFP PHOTO / ADRIAN DENNIS (Photo credit should read ADRIAN DENNIS/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:ADRIAN DENNIS via Getty Images)
UK General Election 2015 - UK Politics Through A Washington Lens(19 of38)
AYLESBURY, UNITED KINGDOM - APRIL 30: UK Independence Party (UKIP) leader Nigel Farage talks with journalists while campaigning in Market Square on April 30, 2015 in Aylesbury, England. A natural campaigner, Farage has a confidence and charisma that invites a crush of party supporters, journalists and curious onlookers whenever he appears in public. Farage made of point of talking about Aylesbury being the home of John Hampden, a leading 17th century parliamentarian involved in challenging the authority of Charles I of England and who died during battle in 1643 during the English Civil War. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images) (credit:Chip Somodevilla via Getty Images)
UK General Election 2015 - UK Politics Through A Washington Lens(20 of38)
AYLESBURY, UNITED KINGDOM - APRIL 30: UK Independence Party (UKIP) leader Nigel Farage talks with journalists while campaigning in Market Square on April 30, 2015 in Aylesbury, England. A natural campaigner, Farage has a confidence and charisma that invites a crush of party supporters, journalists and curious onlookers whenever he appears in public. Farage made of point of talking about Aylesbury being the home of John Hampden, a leading 17th century parliamentarian involved in challenging the authority of Charles I of England and who died during battle in 1643 during the English Civil War. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images) (credit:Chip Somodevilla via Getty Images)
UKIP's Last Campaigning Weekend In South Thanet(21 of38)
RAMSGATE, ENGLAND - MAY 02: UK Independence Party leader Nigel Farage drinks a coffee before campaigning on May 2, 2015 in Ramsgate, England. Mr Farage is spending the last weekend before the election attending a series of public meetings in his constituency. (Photo by Peter Macdiarmid/Getty Images) (credit:Peter Macdiarmid via Getty Images)
UKIP's Last Campaigning Weekend In South Thanet(22 of38)
RAMSGATE, ENGLAND - MAY 02: UK Independence Party leader Nigel Farage drinks a coffee before campaigning on May 2, 2015 in Ramsgate, England. Mr Farage is spending the last weekend before the election attending a series of public meetings in his constituency. (Photo by Peter Macdiarmid/Getty Images) (credit:Peter Macdiarmid via Getty Images)
UKIP's Last Campaigning Weekend In South Thanet(23 of38)
RAMSGATE, ENGLAND - MAY 02: UK Independence Party leader Nigel Farage talks to reporters before campaigning on May 2, 2015 in Ramsgate, England. Mr Farage is spending the last weekend before the election attending a series of public meetings in his constituency. (Photo by Peter Macdiarmid/Getty Images) (credit:Peter Macdiarmid via Getty Images)
UKIP's Last Campaigning Weekend In South Thanet(24 of38)
RAMSGATE, ENGLAND - MAY 02: UK Independence Party leader Nigel Farage appears on a reporters smartphone as he campaigns on May 2, 2015 in Ramsgate, England. Mr Farage is spending the last weekend before the election attending a series of public meetings in his constituency. (Photo by Peter Macdiarmid/Getty Images) (credit:Peter Macdiarmid via Getty Images)
UKIP's Last Campaigning Weekend In South Thanet(25 of38)
RAMSGATE, ENGLAND - MAY 02: UK Independence Party leader Nigel Farage rubs his eye as he talks to reporters before campaigning on May 2, 2015 in Ramsgate, England. Mr Farage is spending the last weekend before the election attending a series of public meetings in his constituency. (Photo by Peter Macdiarmid/Getty Images) (credit:Peter Macdiarmid via Getty Images)
UKIP's Last Campaigning Weekend In South Thanet(26 of38)
RAMSGATE, ENGLAND - MAY 02: UK Independence Party leader Nigel Farage smiles as he talks to reporters before campaigning on May 2, 2015 in Ramsgate, England. Mr Farage is spending the last weekend before the election attending a series of public meetings in his constituency. (Photo by Peter Macdiarmid/Getty Images) (credit:Peter Macdiarmid via Getty Images)
UKIP's Last Campaigning Weekend In South Thanet(27 of38)
RAMSGATE, ENGLAND - MAY 02: UK Independence Party leader Nigel Farage celebrates the arrival of the new royal baby with a 'baby Girl' balloon in a pub on May 2, 2015 in Ramsgate, England. Mr Farage is spending the last weekend before the election attending a series of public meetings in his constituency. (Photo by Peter Macdiarmid/Getty Images) (credit:Peter Macdiarmid via Getty Images)
UKIP's Last Campaigning Weekend In South Thanet(28 of38)
RAMSGATE, ENGLAND - MAY 02: UK Independence Party leader Nigel Farage celebrates the arrival of the new royal baby with a 'baby Girl' balloon in a pub on May 2, 2015 in Ramsgate, England. Mr Farage is spending the last weekend before the election attending a series of public meetings in his constituency. (Photo by Peter Macdiarmid/Getty Images) (credit:Peter Macdiarmid via Getty Images)
UKIP's Last Campaigning Weekend In South Thanet(29 of38)
RAMSGATE, ENGLAND - MAY 02: UK Independence Party leader Nigel Farage celebrates the arrival of the new royal baby with a 'baby Girl' balloon in a pub on May 2, 2015 in Ramsgate, England. Mr Farage is spending the last weekend before the election attending a series of public meetings in his constituency. (Photo by Peter Macdiarmid/Getty Images) (credit:Peter Macdiarmid via Getty Images)
UKIP's Last Campaigning Weekend In South Thanet(30 of38)
RAMSGATE, ENGLAND - MAY 02: UK Independence Party leader Nigel Farage waits in a church hall before speaking at a public meeting on May 2, 2015 in Ramsgate, England. Mr Farage is spending the last weekend before the election attending a series of public meetings in his constituency. (Photo by Peter Macdiarmid/Getty Images) (credit:Peter Macdiarmid via Getty Images)
UKIP's Last Campaigning Weekend In South Thanet(31 of38)
RAMSGATE, ENGLAND - MAY 02: Local party chairman Martyn Heale looks on as UK Independence Party leader Nigel Farage (R) talks at a public meeting on May 2, 2015 in Ramsgate, England. Mr Farage is spending the last weekend before the election attending a series of public meetings in his constituency. (Photo by Peter Macdiarmid/Getty Images) (credit:Peter Macdiarmid via Getty Images)
Britain Election(32 of38)
Nigel Farage the leader of the UK Independence Party (UKIP) speaks to the media backdropped by a poster unveiled for his party's immigration campaign launch for the British general election, in St Margaret's Bay, near Dover, on the south east coast of England, Tuesday, March 31, 2015. Britain goes to the polls for a general election on May 7, 2015. (AP Photo/Matt Dunham) (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
Britain Election UKIP(33 of38)
Nigel Farage, leader of the UK Independence Party arrives for the launch of his party's manifesto in Thurrock, England, Wednesday, April 15, 2015. The UK will go to the polls in a general election on May 7. (AP Photo/Alastair Grant) (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
Britain Election UKIP(34 of38)
Nigel Farage, leader of the UK Independence Party gestures as he answers a question from the media at the launch of his party's election manifesto in Thurrock, England, Wednesday, April 15, 2015. The UK goes to the polls in a general election on May 7. (AP Photo/Alastair Grant) (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
Britain Election UKIP(35 of38)
Nigel Farage, leader of the UK Independence Party speaks from a podium at the launch of his party's election manifesto Thurrock, England, Wednesday, April 15, 2015. The UK goes to the polls in a general election on May 7. (AP Photo/Alastair Grant) (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
Britain ANZAC Day(36 of38)
Nigel Farage, left, leader of Britain's UKIP party ahead of a ceremony at the Cenotaph to commemorate ANZAC Day and the Centenary of the Gallipoli Campaign in Whitehall, London, Saturday, April 25, 2015. The ANZAC Day memorial Saturday marks the 100th anniversary of the 1915 Gallipoli landings, the first major military action fought by the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps during World War I. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth) (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
Britain Election(37 of38)
Nigel Farage leader of Britain's United Kingdom Independence Party delivers a speech in Hartlepool, England, Tuesday, April 28, 2015. Britain goes to the polls in a General Election on May 7. (AP Photo/Scott Heppell) (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
Britain Election(38 of38)
Nigel Farage leader of Britain's United Kingdom Independence Party delivers a speech in Hartlepool, England, Tuesday, April 28, 2015. Britain goes to the polls in a General Election on May 7. (AP Photo/Scott Heppell) (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)