Hilton hoax: Paris becomes victim of fake online tribute to Nelson Mandela

POOR old Paris Hilton.

The Hollywood socialite has been the victim of fake tweet about the death of Nelson Mandela that quickly went viral on social media.

A screengrab of a tweet reportedly from the heiress to the Hilton Hotel chain began circulating soon after the death of the former South African president in which the famous party girl seemed to confuse Mr Mandela and American civil rights campaigner Martin Luther King.

In what appeared to be her verified account Ms Hilton was reported to have posted: "RIP Nelson Mandela. Your (sic) "I Have A Dream" speech was so inspiring. An amazing man."

However Mr Mandela, who helped to overthrow the apartheid regime in South Africa, did not deliver that famous oration. Instead Martin Luther King was the man famous for his "I Have A Dream" speech.

The fake tweet soon became one of the highest trending on the popular social media site.

Paris Hilton mistakes Martin Luther King for Nelson Mandela pic.twitter.com/cqJKaibXXF — Deleted Tweets (@DeIetedTweets) December 5, 2013

It wasn't long before Hilton herself got wind of it and made it clear that is hadn't come from her.

"Just landed & heard the sad new about Nelson Mandela. He was a true Hero & the world is a better place because of him. May he rest in peace," she posted.

"Whoever made that stupid fake tweet lacks respect to the loss the world is mouing right now. Same goes for all the blogs who ran with it," she posted soon after.

Whoever made that stupid fake tweet lacks respect to the loss the world is mouing right now. Same goes for all the blogs who ran with it. — Paris Hilton (@ParisHilton) December 5, 2013

It later emerged there were several such fake tweets about Mandela purporting to be from celebrities.