Indonesian Police Confirm Malaysian Influencers Faked Friend's Disappearance For Content
Authorities say the incident was staged to boost viewership and gain more followers.
By May Vin Ang — 07 Feb 2025, 11:45 AM
Indonesian authorities have confirmed that the alleged disappearance of a Malaysian social media personality in a jungle in Bandung, Indonesia, was a hoax
According to Indonesian news portal KumparanNews, Panyileukan district police chief Commissioner Kurnia confirmed that the video posted on Malaysian content creator Ammar Nazhan's TikTok account, with the caption "Malaysian influencer went missing in Bandung forest while making paranormal content", was staged.
He stated that the incident was fabricated to boost viewership and gain more followers.
A screenshot of the alleged missing influencer, Eyka, lying on the ground when she was supposedly found.
Image via Harian MetroKurnia confirmed that the video was made by two Malaysians, Ammar Nazhan and Aras Abdullah, on Sunday night, 2 February
"The viral news on social media about the disappearance of Malaysian TikToker Eyka is untrue.
"It was merely a scripted and staged scenario to gain higher ratings and more followers," the police chief said when contacted by reporters on Thursday, 6 February.
He said Ammar and Aras started a livestream at 7pm on Sunday night at Bukit Embah Garut, claiming that their friend Eyka had gone missing while they were filming paranormal activity in the forest.
After a police investigation, they eventually admitted that the incident was staged for publicity.
Ammar Nazhan (far left) and Aras Abdullah (second from left) had involved Indonesian authorities in the search for Eyka.
Image via @amnazhan (Instagram)It is understood that the group's activities in the forest were carried out without the permission of the Indonesian police
Kurnia mentioned that the content creators had received permission from the local district authorities, but did not seek police approval.
"The event was not reported to the Panyileukan police, and it was conducted without any recommendation from the Panyileukan Police or the Bandung Metropolitan Police," he said.
Kurnia added that the group has apologised to the police, signed a statement promising not to repeat such acts, and recorded a clarification video.
