Has Tupac been raised
from dead?

Kids across America – as well as some young adults – are falling for an elaborate Internet hoax suggesting rap star Tupac Shakur, murdered nine years ago, is alive and well.

At the center of the latest Shakur controversy is a counterfeit "news story" dressed up to look like it was published on CNN.com.

"Rap star Tupac Shakur appeared yesterday in Beverly Hills and casually strolled through the streets as if the rest of the world had forgotten his 'murder' nearly nine years ago," begins the faux CNN story.

"Almost out of thin air, famed rapper Tupac Shakur showed up yesterday afternoon at a shopping mall in Beverly Hills," it continues. "Escorted by an entourage of some ten indivduals including ex-producer Suge Knight and fellow rapper Andre Young (aka Dr. Dre), Shakur began visiting the many high-end stores he once frequented during the peak of his fame in the mid-90s. He looked as if all was well while onlookers stared in disbelief at the 'ghost' before them."

According to a 2002 survey, 83 percent of Tupac Shakur fans believe he is still alive – or coming back in a resurrected form.

"When asked why he chose to mislead the world into thinking he was dead Shakur reflected for several seconds," says the hoax story. "'I never meant to hurt my fans or anyone else,' Shakur said. 'There were men out there that wanted my blood and the blood of those closest to me. I did this for them. It wasn't an easy decision for me, but it was a step I knew I had to take.'"

The bogus story goes on to claim that Shakur had been in hiding in the Colombian city of Cali under the assumed name of Jamal Millwood.

"Conspiracy theories that abounded after the rap star's untimely death now appear confirmed," it continued. "Tupac Shakur said he plans to continue the legacy he started. He said he looks forward to returning to the spotlight where he says he belongs. 'I want to show all my enemies that you can't keep me down. Here I am – Resurrected,' he said."

With millions of Shakur fans ready and willing to believe he still is alive and coming back to lead them, the Web scam is all the convincing they need.

WND has received e-mails from some of these fans who wonder why other news sources are not picking up on the bogus CNN account dated April 4.

While Shakur was shot five times after leaving a boxing match Sept. 7, 1996, he lived through the shooting initially before dying Sept. 13.

Fans had a tough time accepting that he died on Friday the 13th. They also noted he rapped about his own funeral in "Life Goes On." They wondered why the driver of the car, Suge Knight, the executive producer of Death Row Records, didn't show up for questioning about the shooting.

Then, a few days after his death, his video "I ain't Mad at Cha," was released. Fans noted the "I ain't Mad at Cha" track was No. 13 on the album "All Eyes On Me." The video shows Shakur as an angel in heaven. In the video, Shakur was shot after leaving a theater with a friend, which is very similar to how he was shot in real life.

The counterfeit CNN story appears on a website called UVP Forum, which is "dedicated to real women of color."