A Strange Face Spreading Fear Worldwide
For the past 24 hours, groups and fanpages across social media have been buzzing about an account named Jonathan Galindo. If you haven’t caught up yet, here’s a quick rundown.
An account called Jonathan Galindo, targeting popular platforms among young people like Discord, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and Twitter, sends friend requests to users.
Then, this account sends a message containing a link. Clicking it exposes your device’s IP address, allowing Jonathan Galindo to find your real information and location. You’re then forced to choose one of two options:
– Complete the Blue Whale Challenge
– Or it will assassinate your entire family.
The Blue Whale Challenge was a viral craze around 2018, originating in Russia and spreading to many countries. It requires players to complete a series of tasks at 4 a.m. for 50 consecutive days.
These tasks range from mild to dangerous, like watching the Blue Whale movie, horror films, drawing a blue whale on your body with a pen, or using blades and needles to carve whale shapes on your arms or legs. The final and most extreme task is suicide.
Similar to this, the Momo Challenge shocked social media in 2019. Many got caught up in it, starting with simple dares like telling parents or friends certain phrases, spreading rumors, self-harm, and even suicide. Around ten teenagers died from this challenge, including a 13-year-old boy in Belgium.
The internet has seen many scary rumors and urban legends like these. Many people follow them out of curiosity or fear. Mexican media reported that this account became a scary trend there.
The Momo Challenge shocked social media in 2019, with a boy dying as a result.
Becoming the “Circus Lord” in Vietnam
Online users compare the mysterious Jonathan Galindo account to a dark lord in many countries, especially Mexico. But in Vietnam, it’s more like a circus lord with hilarious antics.
Instead of fear, many Vietnamese Facebook users actively search for Jonathan Galindo’s account to friend and message him. The conversations vary wildly, from asking to see nails, requesting advice on nose or eye surgery, to boldly threatening back with “stand TWICE or die” (support TWICE or die)…
Reading these messages, there’s no fear left, only laughter. Some even complain that Jonathan Galindo replies slowly, checking inbox like a turtle…
Still, whether this mysterious account was created with bad intentions or not, people should stay cautious on social media. Never click strange links and avoid friending strangers to prevent bad situations.
The Truth Behind the Scary Rumors
On July 3rd, a Twitter user named Dusky Sam posted a statement admitting that the smiling dog-faced man avatar spreading everywhere is his creation. The image dates back to 2012-2013.
He explained: “Hello everyone. The Jonathan Galindo account seems to have scared many young people. The photo and video actually belong to me from 2012-2013. They were meant for entertainment, not like some recent people using them to threaten or bully others.”
He also warned that if you receive strange messages asking you to join a game, just say no. “Don’t let them into your life,” Dusky Sam wrote.
Some other similar works by Dusky Sam.
It seems artist Dusky Sam is the creator of the dog-faced man images. Meanwhile, many fake Jonathan Galindo accounts with the same avatar have popped up.
