How a Disturbing Viral Hoax Fooled the Internet with a Fictional Crime Story

May 3, 2025: The “Aidin ‘Fingertip’ Stephen” video is a viral internet hoax that originated on TikTok in August 2023. The story falsely claims that in 2008, a high school student named Aidin Stephen livestreamed himself killing a classmate with scissors and eating their finger in a school bathroom. This alleged video was said to have been broadcast on Instagram Live.

Debunking the Story

There is no evidence supporting the existence of such a video or the occurrence of the described incident. Notably, Instagram Live was not introduced until 2016, making it impossible for such a livestream to have occurred in 2008. The narrative was fabricated by TikTok user @aidenstevenofficial as part of a slideshow about disturbing serial killer facts, with the final slide presenting the fictitious story of Aidin Stephen. This content was intended as a troll or joke and gained significant attention, leading many to search for the non-existent video.

How It Spread Online

Despite its fictional nature, the hoax gained traction across various social media platforms, including Reddit, Twitter, and YouTube, where users discussed and speculated about the supposed video. Some content creators even produced unrelated videos with misleading titles to capitalize on the viral trend.

The Bigger Picture

In summary, the “Aidin ‘Fingertip’ Stephen” video does not exist, and the story is a fabricated hoax that became a viral meme. It serves as an example of how quickly misinformation can spread online and the importance of verifying the authenticity of sensational claims.