One More Reason to Skip Dessert

Creepiest incentive ever to exercise: Peruvian cops have arrested a gang that, they say, kills people for their fat.

The extracted adipose tissue was then allegedly sold for cosmetics made in Europe. Oddly enough, the crime fits into a Quechua cultural tradition of white boogeymen waylaying locals and killing them. Like a murderer who calls herself a vampire, this syndicate, police say, called themselves by the legendary creature’s name, pishtaco (not to be confused with pistachio, says Wikipedia, and many thanks for clearing that up). Is there a word for this curious form of cultural transmission, where a mythical monster becomes real by giving people ideas for actual crimes? Feel free to suggest one in the comments.