This is a rumored substance often described as a cherry red semi liquid with extraordinary properties. Some claim it is a powerful explosive or nuclear material, while others associate it with mystical abilities like summoning jinn or extracting gold. Scientifically, no evidence supports the existence of a unique substance called red liquid mercury. Instead, it is likely a hoax or misidentification of common mercury compounds like mercury II iodide or cinnabar, a red mineral containing mercury sulfide.

The red liquid mercury myth emerged in the late 1980s, primarily in Soviet and Western media. Stories suggested it was a top secret nuclear material from Russian labs, commanding prices of $100,000 to $300,000 per kilogram. Con artists exploited the secrecy of nuclear technology, targeting gullible buyers in the Middle East and Europe. For example, in Saudi Arabia, rumors linked red liquid mercury to Singer sewing machines, leading to thefts and a frenzy to sell them.

Scientific investigations have debunked red liquid mercury as a hoax. A 2003 analysis by the Zagreb Police Authority found a supposed sample was merely elemental mercury in a metal capsule. Similarly, a 1994 German seizure revealed a mix of mercury, plutonium, and other elements, not a unique substance. Claims of red liquid mercury as a ballotechnic material, capable of triggering fusion reactions, lack credible evidence. Instead, compounds like mercury II oxide or iodide, which are red, are often mistaken for this mythical substance.