A VIRAL story about a married couple who struggled to conceive only to discover they were twins when they went through IVF appears to be a hoax.

The story, originally from a suspected fake news website called the Mississippi Herald, claims the unnamed couple underwent the treatment to help them have a baby.

2 A story about a couple undergoing IVF treatment, only to discover they are twins, appears to be fake Credit: Getty Images

most read in news CLOSING TYNE Hundreds hit the Toon for last night out before lockdown & 10pm pub curfews 'WORST NIGHTMARE' Newborn mauled to death by 'jealous' dog who escaped from pen, says uncle LOCKTOBER Scientists 'want national lockdown NEXT MONTH' as Gov plans Covid 'circuit-break' 'GRUESOME RAPE' Girl, 19, gang-raped by at least 11 MEN and thrown to death off building TRAGIC DEATH Mum-of-13 who starred on TV's Extraordinary Pregnancies found hanged POT SHOT Pool cue thug caught on CCTV battering pub drinker for moving his white ball

Doctors at the fertility lab noticed their DNA was abnormally similar, it was claimed, and lab technicians believed the pair may be unwitting cousins, but soon ruled that out because the DNA was too similar.

The story was picked up by a number of news websites, including the Sun, but it has since emerged it's likely to be a hoax.

2 The Mississippi Herald appears to be a fake news website

The Mississippi Herald website was only registered in November, reports the Mirror, and contains no reporter bylines, physical address or contact details beyond an online form.

Sun Online has attempted to contact the website for clarification.

Fake news can look legitimate, but the stories behind the headlines are entirely fictional.

Hundreds of fake news sites have been set up, some producing false stories to entertain and amuse – others to peddle their own agendas.

We pay for your stories! Do you have a story for The Sun Online news team? Email us at tips@the-sun.co.uk or call 0207 782 4368