- Why Was Influencer Amine Mojito Arrested; Amine was sentenced to 12 months in prison for syringe prank videos creating public panic.
- His videos showed him pretending to inject strangers with empty syringes amid a backdrop of real needle attack fears in France.
- The court convicted him of violence without physical injury, handed a fine, and banned him from weapon possession for 3 years.
- Mojito admitted the prank was a “bad idea” and claimed he did not intend harm or know about the broader needle attack issue.
French influencer Amine Mojito, also known as Ilan M., has recently been sentenced to prison for his viral prank videos where he pretended to inject strangers with empty syringes, causing widespread panic and public outrage in France.
The Paris Criminal Court handed down a 12-month sentence, with six months to be served in custody and six months suspended. He was also fined €1,500 and banned from owning or carrying firearms for three years. Mojito’s videos came out during a period of heightened anxiety in France over real and rumored needle attacks at festivals and public events.
Who Is Amine Mojito? The French Influencer Behind the Syringe Prank
Amine Mojito, aged 27, is a social media personality from France whose real name is Ilan M. He gained rapid notoriety after posting videos in June 2025 showing him pretending to inject unsuspecting strangers with an empty syringe on the streets of Paris.
These videos went viral just before France’s Fête de la Musique (World Music Day), a time when the country was already alarmed by reports of actual needle attacks at festivals and gatherings. Mojito amassed a large online following, counting over 131,000 Instagram followers before his accounts were deactivated following his arrest.
French influencer Amine Mojito (real name Ilan M.) was sentenced to six months in prison by a court in France for creating prank videos where he pretended to attack random strangers with an empty syringe, causing panic and distress. pic.twitter.com/bVnmslECr2
— orange 🍊 (@orange4u28) October 7, 2025
Mojito’s videos showed him pretending to stab random people with syringes, sparking terror and reviving public fears of “needle attacks.”
Although the syringes were capped and no actual injections took place, the prank caused panic and anxiety amid ongoing concerns over similar real incidents across France, especially among young people and women.
The videos were widely condemned for promoting a dangerous and reckless trend that intensified public fear and retraumatized victims of real needle spiking cases.
Legal Charges and Court Verdict: Violence Without Injury
The Paris Criminal Court convicted Mojito of “violence with a weapon not resulting in work incapacity.” Prosecutors had initially sought a harsher punishment of 15 months under electronic surveillance for five years, citing the influencer’s large platform and lack of moral judgment.
Ultimately, the court imposed a 12-month prison sentence, six months of which are suspended. Mojito was also fined approximately €1,500 and banned from owning or carrying any weapon for three years. The court underlined the harmful nature of the prank amid a sensitive societal context.
Mojito’s Defense: A ‘Bad Idea’ and Lack of Awareness
In his testimony, Mojito admitted that the prank was a “very bad idea” inspired by similar stunts he had seen online from other countries like Spain and Portugal. He claimed he never intended to harm anyone or cause public panic, saying, “I didn’t think it could scare people. That was my mistake, I thought only of myself.”
He also stated that he was unaware of the broader trend of needle spiking incidents in France and was “in his own world” at the time of filming. Despite his apology, the prosecution emphasized his responsibility as an influencer to not promote harmful behavior.
Public Reaction and Social Media Fallout
The prank videos led to significant backlash from the public, with many calling for stricter regulations against such dangerous content and penalties for Mojito. Comments on social media reflected anger and disappointment, with some voices demanding a ban on his online earnings.
His Instagram and TikTok pages were deactivated following the sentencing, signaling the end of his online influence for now. The incident sparked wider discussions about the impact of influencer behavior on public safety and mental health.
Context: France’s Ongoing Needle Attack Panic
The timing of Mojito’s prank aggravated a nationwide fear triggered by multiple real and alleged cases of needle spiking reported at nightclubs, festivals, and student events. Numerous victims reported symptoms such as dizziness, numbness, or nausea after claiming to be injected with unknown substances.
While investigations continue on many of these cases, Mojito’s prank risked normalizing such violence and undermining ongoing efforts to address the public’s concerns. His actions have been seen as both irresponsible and socially damaging.
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Last Updated on October 8, 2025 by 247 News Around The World
