A tragic murder in Bhopal, India, has shocked the nation, as police reveal that a 16-year-old boy was killed by a gang motivated by a viral social media hoax claiming human testicles could be sold for millions.
The Deadly Misinformation
The alleged mastermind, 20-year-old BBA student Zoheb Khan, reportedly became obsessed with a social media video that falsely asserted human testicles could fetch between 10 million and 15 million Indian rupees (approximately £92,000 to £138,000) on the black market. Investigators state that Khan went to extreme lengths to manufacture legitimacy for the plot, purchasing a doctor’s apron, stethoscope, and thermometer online to train his accomplices and pose as a medical student to gain their trust.
A Calculated Trap
Police reports indicate the group made two prior attempts to lure other victims before targeting the teenager, who was a street vendor selling pens and keyrings near Iqbal Maidan. On August 6, two minors associated with the gang approached the victim and offered him 100 rupees (about 77p) to help with a staged fight.
The boy was led to the Dhobi Ghat area, where he was stabbed to death. His attackers subsequently removed his testicles, which they reportedly kept on ice for two days in a failed attempt to find a buyer. When no market for the organs materialized, the gang, acting on instructions from Khan—who reportedly directed the operation via video call—disposed of the remains in local lakes.
Investigation and Arrests
The victim’s body was recovered from the Lower Lake on August 10 and identified five days later by his mother, who had previously reported him missing.
Authorities have since arrested five individuals: the mastermind Zoheb Khan, an alleged accomplice identified as Aamir Qureshi, and three minors. Police are currently conducting search operations in the lakes to recover the organs to aid in the investigation. Officials have emphasized that the “crore-rupee testicle” claim is entirely fraudulent, serving as a grim warning about the real-world dangers of viral misinformation.
Bhopal teenager killed in social media hoax
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This video provides additional context regarding the investigation into the tragic case in Bhopal and the dangers of online misinformation.
