And you thought Mizzy was bad: The chaos for clout influencers who terrorise the nation for social media fame

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Unsuspecting people are being accosted, threatened and 'reverse robbed' on Britain's high streets as part of a sinister new 'prank' trend being nurtured by algorithms on websites like YouTube and TikTok across the world. 

This brand of street nuisance -which can trace its UK roots back to 2013 when figures like Jack Jones TV and Dapper Laughs enjoyed minor fame- is characterised by 'pranksters' deliberately antagonising pedestrians and then uploading their reactions to the internet (often without their consent). 

Last week, this murky subculture reached a head when 18-year-old TikTok troublemaker Mizzy - real name, Bacari-Bronze O'Garro - was arrested for sharing videos of him stealing pensioner's dogs and trespassing in people's homes. 

He has since been released on bail pending a trial in July and defended his actions on BBC Newsnight this week, saying: 'Everything I'm doing is bad apparently, is what you're saying. I'm on BBC news, I mean, come on.'

In 2021, thug Josh McDonald, 33, caused outrage after he and other martial arts amateurs invaded an Asda supermarket dressed as Spider-Man and kicked and punched a supermarket worker unconscious. 

In one of his videos posted online to TikTok he can be seen saying: 'Walking into random houses, let's go'

In recent days video has also resufaced of a YouTube prank gone wrong as teens pretend to 'rob' each other at an ATM in Sydney

A bystander (pictured in the orange pants) didn't realise it was staged and punched the fake robber in the face  

The trio then screams 'It's a prank', but it's too late as the teen is seen with a broken nose oozing blood (pictured)

McDonald, of Northampton, admitted assault by causing actual bodily harm and violent disorder in court yesterday. 

Three others - the gang's leader, George O'Boyle, 30, Sophie Roberts, 19, and Rikki McKenzie, 37 - also appeared in Kingston Crown Court.

O'Boyle, who entered the store dressed as Ali G, admitted both violent disorder and assault occasioning actual bodily harm (ABH) while Roberts - who was in a Little Red Riding Hood costume - admitted both violent disorder and assault occasioning actual bodily harm (ABH).

McKenzie, dressed as Little Britain's fake-disabled chartacter Andy, admitted a public order offence involving threats of violence.

Meanwhile in Sydney, Australia, three YouTube pranksters have been slammed over footage showing an ATM robbery prank go terribly wrong after one of them was left with a broken nose.

Daniel Maran, Robert Milazzo and George Proestos staged the fake robbery outside of an automated teller machine in Sydney.

Footage shows the pranksters pretending to rob one another before a bystander, who believed it was real, tried to intervene and punched one of the boys in the face, breaking his nose.

But despite high profile cases such as these, there remain many similar prankster's operating in the UK who have faced no such deterrent. 

One popular account which goes by the handle Ali_jokyy has over 50,000 YouTube subscribers and promises 'pranks smoke pranks.' 

The last five videos uploaded by the account involve the prankster challenging 'gang members' to fights on the streets of Liverpool, Manchester, Bradford, Sheffield and Leeds.

In each video the prankster explains that when he asks people if they want to get 'smoked' he is referring to a cigarette, however this is not conveyed to the targets of his 'prank' who are often unnerved and defensive. 

In one shocking video in Bradford, the man films himself approaching a group of men and things quickly spiral. 

As the men circle each other, a mother is seen diverting her children's eyes away from the frightening scene. 

In the strange video the prankster films himself approaching strangers on the street and creating aggressive situations 

Only after his targets have become suitably enraged does the YouTuber finally reveal he has been 'pranking' 

In another video three masked men approach a passer by and 'reverse rob' his coat

Only after the target has followed the 'prankster' into the road does he finally admit that he is joking. 

Another disturbing account with the handle Jayden King has a video entitled: 'Robbing people's coats then giving them a new one.' 

In the video, three balaclava clad men can be seen approaching pedestrians in subway tunnels in Birmingham. 

The prankster claims his stunt is a 'reverse robbery' and many of the people he stops seem unnerved by the situation he has created and filmed. 

Other videos on his channel include asking people to say the N word for £100 and 'picking up girls using Andrew Tate's advice.' 

In the latter, the man approaches a woman and tells her she is giving off 'milf vibes'.

After being approached by the MailOnline, the prankster claimed that he had no defence for his videos as they are all 'fake and scripted.' 

Another video posted on a popular YouTube account named Trollstation shows two men having a pretend argument outside a London pub. 

Suddenly to the shock of fellow drinkers, one of the men hits the other over the head with a fake glass bottle and he falls to the ground. 

It is unknown if the pedestrians featured in the video were aware that the prank had been staged.

In one video posted by popular YouTube account Trollstation a man appears to bottle his friend 

The 'victim' then lies prone on the ground in front of shocked onlookers 

Obviously these actions are anti-social but whether or not they are technically breaking any laws is more complex. 

Talha Salzany is a social media legal expert at Freeman Harris solicitors and told MailOnline that due to the nature of the pranks it can be hard for those targeted to press charges. 

He explained: 'There is no real specific law that prevents filming someone on the street. 

'If someone was to post a video alleging that someone had engaged it inappropriate behaviour then that could be grounds for defamation proceedings - providing they could prove it.

'You can also go after your image rights and revoke them although this can be an expensive process and is typically only used by celebrities.

'Some of the more high profile pranks propagated by the likes of Mizzy fall under a section four offence of breaching the peace, so if the target called the authorities they could have a claim. 

'However the nature of these gotcha pranks often involves the prankster de-escalating the situation and people invariably chalk it up as a weird thing that happened to them and move on with their lives.'  

But why do these revolting trends begin and why are they condoned and even celebrated in some corners of young digital spaces? 

According to Millie Woodman, Head of Talent at EdHopkinsPR, algorithms on the internet  are dependent on a variety of factors and coincidences that can make them hard to track or police. 

Speaking to MailOnline, she explained: 'It often begins with a small group of individuals creating and sharing content that catches the attention of others. When the content goes viral and gains widespread attention, more people are motivated to replicate or participate in the trend, further amplifying its reach. 

'The cycle continues as others join in, seeking validation, recognition, or social connection.' 

But what can tech companies like YouTube and TikTok realistically do to curb the reach of these clips. 

Ms Woodman continued: ' Disturbing prank trends gain traction among youth due to factors like virality, attention-seeking, peer influence, and a lack of consequences.

Platforms like TikTok can combat these trends by enhancing moderation, implementing educational initiatives, providing reporting mechanisms, and collaborating with experts and youth organisations. 

'By taking these steps, platforms can help create a safer and more responsible online environment for young users.'

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