Source – Listverse
Chances are, you’ve heard some of the major conspiracies that have been circulating for years. You’ve probably encountered someone who believes the Earth is flat. Or perhaps you’ve read about people convinced the moon is a hologram. Some insist public tragedies are hoaxes, while others genuinely argue that Finland does not exist. But those theories are mild compared to some of the more determined beliefs thriving online. As you read through this list, you might want to hold on to your hat and sit down in the nearest chair. You may find yourself rereading certain lines just to make sure you saw them correctly.
5. Vaccines Have Microchips In Them
Just when you thought conspiracies could not get any weirder, how about those microchips in vaccines? If you have had a COVID-19 vaccine, you may be slightly startled to learn that there are people who genuinely believe these vaccines contain microchips. Social media videos have claimed that these chips make people’s arms “magnetic,” while others are convinced Bill Gates planned the entire pandemic as part of a global tracking system designed to monitor the population through injected devices.
And, as if that were not strange enough, some believers have linked the theory to 5G networks. During the height of the pandemic, telecommunications equipment and cell towers were vandalized in both the UK and the U.S. because of claims that 5G technology either spread COVID-19 or would somehow interact with microchips inside vaccines. Others have suggested that the supposed chips can connect directly to 5G towers, transmitting data about people’s movements.
It goes without saying that this is nothing more than a conspiracy theory that refuses to die. Public health agencies and independent fact-checkers have repeatedly confirmed that COVID-19 vaccines contain no microchips, tracking devices, or magnetic components. The ingredients are publicly documented and include mRNA or viral vectors, lipids, salts, sugars, and stabilizers—nothing even remotely resembling an implantable device.
4. The Moon Is Hollow
Ah, the moon. That wonderfully bright orb that seems to tug at the oceans and light up the night sky. If you think the moon is simply a rocky satellite, chances are someone you know disagrees. Just as the “fake moon landing” theory began with a real event, the hollow moon theory also traces back to an actual NASA experiment.
In 1969, when the Apollo 12 crew jettisoned the Lunar Module’s ascent stage, it crashed into the moon’s surface. Seismic instruments left behind by earlier missions recorded vibrations that lasted much longer than scientists expected. Some researchers described the moon as having “rung like a bell” for nearly an hour.
For conspiracy theorists, that phrase meant only one thing: the moon must be hollow. They argue that such prolonged vibrations could only occur if the moon were a metallic shell with an empty interior. They also claim the moon’s orbital mechanics are suspicious. Why, they ask, is the moon roughly 400 times smaller than the sun and also approximately 400 times closer to Earth—allowing it to perfectly cover the sun during a total solar eclipse? To them, that alignment can only mean the moon was intentionally positioned as some kind of monitoring station.
The scientific explanation is far less dramatic. The moon’s extended vibrations were due to its dry, rigid composition and lack of water, which on Earth helps dampen seismic activity. Extensive lunar mapping has confirmed that the moon contains a crust, mantle, and core—not an indestructible inner hull.
3. The Necronomicon Really Exists
All dedicated horror lovers know what the Necronomicon is. H.P. Lovecraft invented this fictional book in the 1920s as part of his Cthulhu Mythos. In his stories, the Necronomicon was written in the 8th century by the “Mad Arab,” Abdul Alhazred. It contained forbidden knowledge about ancient cosmic beings known as the “Old Ones.”
Despite Lovecraft’s clear statements that the book was fictional, some internet theorists insist there was nothing imaginary about it. According to the conspiracy, Lovecraft was not creating horror stories but leaking classified occult knowledge. They argue that he received visions of Earth’s true dark history in dreams and disguised them as fiction to avoid persecution.
Another popular claim suggests that the “real” Necronomicon is one of the most closely guarded artifacts in the Vatican’s secret archives. Conspiracy believers often point to the fact that several “fake” versions of the book have been published over the years—most notably the Simon Necronomicon in the 1970s—as evidence of a deliberate cover-up. If the public believes the book is a hoax, they argue, no one will search for the authentic manuscript hidden away in Rome.
Literary scholars, however, are unequivocal. The Necronomicon was a fictional device created by Lovecraft to lend depth and realism to his stories. Abdul Alhazred never existed outside those tales.
2. Hurricanes Are Created and Steered by Humans
In 2024, Hurricane Helene and Hurricane Milton caused extreme damage across the southeastern United States. Helene brought unprecedented rainfall and catastrophic flooding, while Milton spawned a terrifying tornado outbreak that produced dozens of confirmed tornadoes. The 2024 Atlantic hurricane season saw 18 named storms and 11 hurricanes.
As if the destruction itself were not enough, conspiracy theories began circulating almost immediately. Social media posts claimed the U.S. government was creating and steering hurricanes into specific communities. Some insisted storms were directed into “blue” states for political reasons, while others claimed that during different administrations, hurricanes were steered toward “red” states.
Additional variations suggested that NOAA was secretly modifying the weather, that solar geoengineering worsened certain storms, or that NEXRAD Doppler radar systems could guide hurricanes toward targeted areas.
The conspiracies became so widespread that NOAA published a detailed fact sheet addressing and debunking the claims. Meteorologists have consistently explained that hurricanes form through natural interactions between warm ocean waters, atmospheric instability, and wind patterns. No existing technology can create or steer storms of that magnitude.
1. Bob Joyce Is Actually Elvis Presley
Finally, you simply cannot write a list like this without including at least one pop culture conspiracy. When it comes to Elvis Presley, there is no shortage of strange theories. The most persistent claim is that Elvis never died in 1977. Instead, believers argue he faked his own death because he could no longer handle the pressures of fame and quietly started a new life elsewhere.
Some versions claim he lives—or lived—on a ranch in Montana. Others suggest that Priscilla Presley regularly visited him and that he instructed her to open Graceland as a museum to ensure the Presley family would always be financially secure.
At the end of 2025 and the beginning of 2026, another variation spread rapidly online. Social media users began sharing videos of Arkansas pastor Bob Joyce, claiming he was, in fact, Elvis in disguise. Supporters pointed to similarities in appearance, voice, and gospel singing style as “proof.” At the same time, Bob Joyce repeatedly stated that he is not Elvis, but simply an Elvis fan.
Those denials have done little to stop the theory. Videos continue to circulate claiming Bob “revealed” his true identity, despite no credible evidence supporting the claim. When it comes to Elvis conspiracies, belief appears far more resilient than reality.