Viral WhatsApp video of man on fire came from Morocco, not M'sia

PETALING JAYA: The 20-second viral video of a man on fire at a shopping mall was recorded in Agadir, Morocco and not in Johor Baru as claimed.

The video is being shared on WhatsApp with the claim that it happened in Johor Baru when a power bank exploded in a woman's pocket

"Don't use power bank. If you do, never put it in your pocket or handbag without disconnecting the power bank from your mobile," read the message accompanying the video.

However, a Google reverse image search showed that the incident happened at supermarket in Agadir on June 3,2018, and cause of the fire was the man setting himself alight.

This was according to a report by the Morocco World News.

The news portal quoted a report by another news site, Agadir24.info, which said the man had a criminal record and entered the shopping mall with an intention to steal.

It added that the man was caught for shoplifting and was made to pay for the stolen product.

The report said the man then returned later in the afternoon to to commit suicide by setting himself on fire.

It also noted that the man died seven days after succumbing to second and third-degree burns on his face, neck, chest, stomach, and hands.