02 Aug Warning Issued Over Disturbing WhatsApp Game That Could Have Tragic Consequences

Viral challenges are an epidemic which dominate the headlines. Despite the fact that this is literally the most advanced human civilization has ever been, this year began with countless people deciding that it would be a great idea to start eating Tide Pods on the internet. Things actually got so bad that the company had to issue a reminder that they weren’t for human consumption and doctors had to stress the potentially deadly effects which eating detergent could cause.

While logic steers most people away from these challenges, an unfortunate reality of living in the digital age is that vulnerable people have access to the internet, and they are the ones who are most at risk of these dangerous challenges. Back in 2016, the “Blue Whale” challenge, for example, was linked to a number of child suicides across Russia.

While the existence of the “Blue Whale” challenge was never officially confirmed, it was said to consist of 50 challenges – which were all self-destructive – that got increasingly more dangerous and ended with the player committing suicide.

To discover exactly what the “Blue Whale” challenge involved, check out the video below:

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It’s no secret that mental health problems are rife among teenagers, many of whom struggle to process their emotions in a healthy way because they are still growing up, and while no one was ever prosecuted for the game, it is understandable – to an extent – why teens might confide in a strange number that gives them the gratification of completing challenges successfully.

Thankfully, by the end of 2017, participation in the alleged “Blue Whale” challenge was said to be decreasing, but now, just over halfway into 2018, it has a rival. While not a challenge per se, it has come in the form of an alleged cursed phone number belonging to a woman named Momo, and it has already been linked with a 12-year-old taking her own life in Argentina.

The “game” originates in Japan, and Momo herself is based on a sculpture by Japanese artist Midori Hayashi. Needless to say, the artist has no affiliation whatsoever with this disturbing game. However, it’s perhaps easy to see why her sculpture was chosen to represent something terrifying with its pale and gaunt features and large protruding eyes.

When I first saw Momo, I couldn’t help but be reminded of Tim Burton’s 1988 classic movie Beetlejuice.

According to police in Argentina, prior to the 12-year-old’s death, she had met an 18-year-old on social media, the Diario Popular newspaper reported, and we can only presume that they introduced her to the game.

Before she allegedly took her own life by hanging, the girl had filmed what she was doing and it is believed she was told do to it.

Police said in a statement: “The phone has been hacked to find footage and WhatsApp chats, and now the alleged adolescent with whom she exchanged those messages is being sought.” They then added that they believed the girl’s “intention was to upload the video to social media as part of a challenged aimed at crediting the Momo game” for the suicide.

The existence of Momo is not limited to just Mexico, and it has been recorded throughout the world; following the same strange pattern each time: a message is sent to a WhatsApp number and disturbing images and messages are returned.

While the purpose of Momo is not known, authorities have issued a warning that it could be used by people to obtain personal information and encourage violence and suicide among young and vulnerable people, the BBC reported.

“It all started in a Facebook group where participants were challenged to start communicating with an unknown number,” the Computer Crime Investigation Unit of the State of Tabasco, Mexico, wrote on Twitter.

“Several users said that if they sent a message to Momo on their cell phone, the response came with violent and aggressive images, and some say they had messages answered with threats,” the Computer Crime Investigation Unit continued.

Because Momo is so bizarre looking and directly interacts with people, just like during the Tide Pod challenge’s brief period of popularity, people have tried to communicate with the number and posted what happened next on YouTube.

One of these people is YouTube user ImJayStation. While the video that he posted could be nothing more than an elaborate prank, if he is indeed messaging one of the people behind the Momo game, it should act as a reminder of how dangerous it is, especially if it is played by vulnerable young children who could take these messages seriously.

“Hello,” wrote a curious ImJayStation.

The WhatsApp number then replies, apparently knowing exactly who he is, and writes, “I am not a being to make fun with. You will not enjoy my presence. Do not contact me again Jaystation. This is your only warning.”

This creepy message was then followed by a violent knife, skull and devil face emoji.

Determined to test Momo (or rather, whoever is behind this disturbing game), ImJayStation bombarded the number with questions to get another response. When it finally came, it simply read, “I warned you Jay.”

In an attempt to see how disturbing the images and messages that Momo sends can be, the YouTuber pushes whoever Momo is to the limit and what happened next will send a shiver down your spine – if, of course, you believe it’s more than a prank.

To see what Momo had to say to ImJayStation, check out the video below:

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For obvious reasons, we have cropped out the number ImJayStation has messaged, and under no circumstances do we recommend interacting with the person or people behind this “game”. Anything which has the potential to take advantage of vulnerable people, regardless of whether or not it’s a prank, should be subject to severe police investigation.

We would like to take this opportunity to wish condolences to the family of the 12-year-old who took her life and hope that the 18-year-old involved is brought to justice and whoever was behind the Momo account she was reportedly messaging.

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