This Footage Shows a Staged Prank, Not a Real Child Abduction
The Claim
A man was caught wearing a burqa and trying to kidnap a child.
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Social media recently circulated a video allegedly showing a person in a burqa garment attempting to kidnap a child. Subsequently, an individual captured and beat him aggressively.
Europe Invasion, an X account known for its critical stance on Muslims in Europe and accused of spreading propaganda, recently shared the video, under the caption, "A man was caught wearing a burqa and trying to kidnap a child. Burqa and hijab is not a matter of freedom, it is a matter of security. Do you agree?" The video has since gained significant attention, amassing over two million views on the page, and has been exploited to attack the Islamic religion.
Misbar’s Analysis
Misbar investigated the viral video and found the claim to be misleading.
After conducting a thorough reverse image search, Misbar’s team found the video to be staged.
The Video Features a Staged Prank, Not a Real Child Abduction
Contrary to viral claims on social media, the video does not depict a real attempt to abduct a child by a man wearing a burqa.
Instead, it is a staged prank orchestrated by an Indian YouTuber and digital creator named Ankur Jatuskaran, known for creating viral content, particularly prank videos.
Misbar’s investigative team compared the individual seen in the viral video with Ankur Jatuskaran's Instagram photos and found they are the same person, identifiable by matching details such as a bracelet in his right hand and tattoo.
A simple Google search online shows that Ankur Jatuskaran has many prank videos online.
The content creator uploaded his staged videos on YouTube, Facebook, and Instagram, where many of his videos have garnered millions of views.
Although Misbar’s team did not find the exact circulating video online, suggesting it may have been deleted due to containing sensitive content, they found that the same creator had uploaded similar videos of child abduction on his YouTube channel.
Islamophobia in Europe: the UK Sees 600% Surge in Islamophobia
Widespread hatred poses a threat not only to minorities but also to fundamental Western values of freedom and justice. Recent revelations involving efforts to deport millions of ethnic minorities from Germany by certain political factions highlight a growing trend of Islamophobia across Europe and the broader Western world.
Following Israel's assaults on Gaza in October 2023, incidents of Islamophobia in the UK have seen a drastic 600% increase. Critics argue that instead of fostering unity, the British government has exacerbated divisions with inflammatory rhetoric.
There is concern that xenophobia is increasingly becoming normalized in political arenas and exploited for electoral advantage throughout Europe.
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