Momo: New media reports try to scare parents over bizarre character despite admitting it is not real

'No, Momo does not exist'

(AFP/Getty)

Media reports are attempting to suggest that the strange "Momo" character has returned, despite it not actually existing.

A flurry of reports over the last day or so have focused on suggestions that the character is appearing in "baby shark" videos in an attempt to terrify the children watching them, and convince them to engage in dangerous behaviour.

While it may be true that there the image has appeared in one or some of those videos, they have probably been watched by very few people. What's more, the character does not actually exist – the model that the infamous picture shows was destroyed after it rotted – which means the stories actually only refer to somebody inserting the horrifying image into videos rather than anything supernatural.

In recent months, panic has been encouraged about rumours of a "Momo challenge", which was said to see the strange character add children on WhatsApp, encourage violent and dangerous behaviour, and curse them. Reports also suggested the character was appearing in videos, spliced into apparently innocent YouTube clips to be watched by children.

While it may be true that the image was being used by malicious people online, there is no suggestion that is really being perpetrated by any kind of organised group let alone that the character can actually do anything itself. The latest flare-up of reports seems to refer to simply another attempt to stir up interest in the phenomena, which has been more or less prevalent on the internet for years.

The photo that supposedly shows Momo was taken during an exhibition of horror sculptures in Japan and has been passed around the internet as a way of easily scaring people ever since.

Even the police warning that the multiple reports made reference to made clear that the Momo character does not actually exist. It just suggested that parents should be vigilant about what their children are watching on the internet.

“No, Momo does not exist, it is an old viral character that has resurfaced with some damaging modifications," the police said, according to the reports widely shared online and published in many of the country's biggest newspapers.

“We have to work together to not allow it to spread.”