In today’s digital age, social media influencers often go to extreme lengths to capture attention and gain followers. However, some stunts cross the line, leading to severe consequences. Here are ten social media stunts that ended in arrests, injuries, or worse.
Burglary, Theft of Services, and Trespassing
Jacob Pursifull, a 20-year-old from Louisiana, trespassed into a Tampa alligator park to film a TikTok video. He jumped over a fence, yelled at people, and posted the video online. Police identified him through his TikTok account and arrested him on charges of burglary, theft of services, and trespassing. This stunt demonstrates how chasing social media fame can lead to legal trouble.
Threats of Violence
A social media feud between three Punjabi singers escalated into threats of violence in Chandigarh, India. Harkirat Singh Mangat, also known as Elly Mangat, was arrested for attempting to enter an apartment complex where the Randhawa brothers lived. The brothers had objected to Mangat’s vulgar lyrics. Rami Randhawa was also arrested for making threats online, and Prince Randhawa later turned himself in. Authorities viewed their actions as a publicity stunt gone too far, leading to charges under the Indian Penal Code and the Information Technology Act.
Shoplifting
Francis Nundwe, a TikTok influencer from Zambia, filmed himself shoplifting in various stores to gain attention. He ate and drank in a Shoprite store without paying and replaced his slippers with a new pair from a PEP store, again without paying. Despite knowing about the surveillance cameras, Nundwe described his actions as a harmless stunt. However, police arrested him on theft charges, turning his quest for fame into infamy.
Aiming Guns at a Daycare Center
Bodybuilder Estrella Maria Pereira and her partner, Miguel A. Ruiz, faced serious consequences after aiming rifles at a daycare center in Miami-Dade. They claimed they didn’t know it was a daycare and thought it would be “cool to take a picture with a gun.” Parents found their actions dangerous and frightening. Police arrested Pereira and Ruiz, charging them with aggravated assault with a firearm and exhibiting a firearm near a school property. The school went into lockdown to protect the children.
Faking a Kidnapping
“Goodnight Chicken” (Chen Neng Chuan) and his partner, Anow (Lu Tsu Hsien), Taiwanese influencers, were arrested for live-streaming a fake kidnapping. They posted videos claiming Chen was beaten and imprisoned after breaking into a scam compound. The stunt backfired, leading to their arrest on incitement charges. The Sihanoukville provincial court sentenced them to two years in prison and fined them $1,000 for producing fake videos on human trafficking and torture.
Jumping a Tesla over an Intersection
A TikToker in Los Angeles performed a dangerous stunt by jumping a rented Tesla over a steep intersection. The car crashed into two parked vehicles, and the driver fled the scene. Police treated the incident as a hit-and-run. Dominykas Zeglaitis was identified as the driver and considered a person of interest. This reckless act caused property damage and put lives at risk, highlighting the dangers of seeking viral fame.
Popping a Wheelie
In Mumbai, India, Faiyyaz Ahmad Azeemullah Qadri was arrested for performing a dangerous motorcycle stunt with two women as passengers. None of them wore helmets. Qadri performed a wheelie, endangering their lives and the safety of others. Police charged him with rash and negligent driving, endangering human life, and abetment. This stunt illustrates the risks of seeking attention through reckless behavior.
Launching Firecrackers
A man known as “Devil Rider” in Tamil Nadu, India, was arrested after performing a wheelie on his motorbike while launching firecrackers attached to it. The explosive stunt involved securing a semicircular array of firecrackers to the front of the bike and igniting them while speeding down the street. The rider was charged with rash driving, negligent conduct with respect to explosive substances, and endangering the life or personal safety of others.
Putting Buckets over Shoppers’ Heads
Lana Clay-Monaghan, a cancer survivor with epilepsy, was hospitalized after teenage TikTok users placed a bucket over her head in a Target store. The lack of air caused her to faint and experience a seizure. Tustin Police identified the prank as part of the “stranger bucket challenge” and considered it an assault and battery. Clay-Monaghan filed a lawsuit against TikTok, Target, and others for negligence, highlighting the dangerous nature of viral challenges.
Filming a Backflip
Keonte Jones filmed Larry Coner, a homeless man, performing a backflip for $6. Coner landed on his neck and suffered a severe spinal injury, from which he later died. Jones continued to film and laugh for ten minutes before help arrived. He was arrested and charged with felony willful disregard for a person’s safety. This tragic incident underscores the ethical responsibilities of social media influencers.
These incidents serve as cautionary tales about the pursuit of social media fame. Reckless stunts can lead to legal consequences, injuries, and even death. It’s important to consider the potential harm and ethical implications before attempting a dangerous social media stunt.
What do you think about these dangerous social media trends? Leave your comment below!
