A post is doing the rounds on Facebook saying that the company's founder, Mark Zuckerberg , is looking to give away millions of dollars to random Facebook users. All they have to do is update their status to be in the running for the money.



The rumour stems from the announcement that Zuckerberg and his wife Priscilla Chan will be giving away 99% of their Facebook shares - worth around $45 billion - in honor of their daughter being born.
The post states the Zuckerberg will give away 10% of the money, or $4.5 million, to 1,000 Facebook users who copy and paste the message into their status and share it.

ReutersFacebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg walks with his wife Priscilla Chan at the annual Allen and Co. conference at the Sun Valley, Idaho Resort July 11, 2013Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg walks with his wife Priscilla Chan
"Mark Zuckerberg has announced that he is giving away $45 billion of Facebook stock. What you may not have heard is that he plans to give 10% of it away to people like YOU and ME!" the post states.
"All you have to do is copy and paste this message into a post IMMEDIATELY. At midnight PST, Facebook will search through the day's posts and award 1000 people with $4.5 million EACH as a way of saying thank you for making Facebook such a powerful vehicle for connection and philanthropy."

A Facebook spokesperson has confirmed that the post is a hoax. We're sorry to have to break it to you, but Zuckerberg isn't going to give you any money.

Of course, that doesn't mean you can't bask in Zuckerberg's adoration of his new baby girl, Max. The Facebook chief recently shared a photo of the two curled up on the sofa:

If you have already shared the post, don't worry too much. The post has not been found to have any hidden malware or viruses associated with it.

The only negative effect for Facebook users who have shared the post is that they look a bit silly. "I figured it wouldn't hurt to try," many said in their posts, while others thanked Zuckerberg for his overwhelming generosity