An influencer has been sentenced to serve six months in jail after using a fake syringe on strangers in a viral TikTok prank video that sparked outrage across France.
The Viral Prank
According to News Au, Ilan M., known online as Amine Mojito, was arrested after his prank video went viral in June. The video was filmed just one day before France’s Fête de la Musique (World Music Day). In the footage, Mojito is seen pretending to inject people with an empty syringe and recording their shocked reactions.
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Public Backlash and Legal Response
The video caused public outrage, especially given the recent wave of real needle attacks at French music festivals and student events. Critics accused Mojito of being insensitive and contributing to public fear.
A public prosecutor said that the prank may have fueled panic, noting that authorities received 145 reports of needle spiking following the video’s release. It remains unclear whether Mojito intended to influence others, but officials say the timing worsened the public response.
On Friday, the Paris Criminal Court sentenced Mojito to 12 months in prison, with six months to be served, and fined him €1,500 ($1,755). [media placement suggestion: photo of Paris Criminal Court with alt text “Paris Criminal Court sentences influencer for fake syringe prank”]
Mojito’s Apology
In court, Mojito told the judge that he didn’t realize how serious the prank would become.
“I had the very bad idea of doing these pranks by imitating what I saw on the internet, in Spain, in Portugal. I didn’t think it could hurt people. That was my mistake, I didn’t think about others, I thought about myself,” he said.
Authorities have since urged social media influencers to act responsibly, warning that public “pranks” can have legal consequences when they cause fear or panic.