Social media is ablaze with searches for an alleged “MMS leak” titled the “9 minute 44 second viral video” and the “12 min 46 sec viral video.” Our investigation confirms these are fake, part of a dangerous cyber scam targeting curious users.

If you’ve scrolled through Instagram Stories or X (formerly Twitter) recently, you’ve likely seen the buzz: grainy screenshots, urgent claims of a leaked “12:46 minutes” or “9 minute 44 second” video, and promises of a download link in exchange for a comment. A recurring clip shows a woman with a cloth in her mouth, adding a sinister tone. The “9 minute 44 second viral video” is not real. It is a sophisticated phishing operation designed to steal your data and infect your devices.

How the ’12 Min 46 Sec Viral Video’ Scam Operates

This trend is the latest evolution in a series of bait-and-switch cyberattacks that weaponize precise, sensational timestamps. Following the “19 minute 34 second” and “7 minute 11 second” video hoaxes, bad actors are now leveraging the “9 minute 44 second viral video” and “12 min 46 sec viral video” as irresistible bait.

Here’s the trap:

The Bait: Anonymous accounts on Instagram, Telegram, and X post compelling screenshots and descriptions, asking users to comment a specific word or DM them to “get the link.”
The Switch: Clicking the provided link does not lead to any video. Instead, users are redirected to phishing websites that mimic login pages to steal Instagram or Facebook credentials. Others prompt downloads of “required codecs” or “media players” that are actually malware, or force users through invasive “human verification” surveys that harvest personal information.

A Pattern of Deception: From ‘Marry Umair’ to MTV Splitsvilla

This scam mirrors recent fake leak campaigns. Last week, searches for a “7 minute 11 second” video involving “Marry Umair” flooded Pakistani social media. The footage was debunked as a mislabeled segment from an old travel vlog.

Similarly, MTV Splitsvilla stars Justin D’Cruz and Sakshi Shrivas were recently targeted. A clip from their public YouTube vlog was misrepresented as a leaked “MMS.” The couple had to issue a public clarification, stating, “There is no MMS.”

The “9 minute 44 second viral video“ and “12 min 46 sec viral video” follow this exact playbook: taking unrelated, often public content, slapping a sensational and specific duration on it, and using it as clickbait for malicious ends.

How to Protect Yourself from Viral Video Scams

To safeguard your digital security, follow these critical steps:

Ignore and Do Not Engage: Do not comment, share, or DM accounts promising links to the “9 minute 44 second” or “12:46 minutes” video.
Hover Before You Click: Always preview a link’s true destination URL before clicking. Malicious links often lead to suspicious domains ending in .xyz, .top, or .click.
Beware of “Unlock” Actions: Legitimate videos do not require you to download software, update plugins, or complete surveys to view them. These are malware delivery tactics.
Verify Through Official Sources: Real viral news is covered by established news websites, not just promoted through anonymous social media posts and Telegram channels.
Update Security Software: Ensure your device’s operating system and antivirus protection are up-to-date to block known threats.

The Bottom Line

The “9 minute 44 second viral video” is a cyber hoax. The “12 min 46 sec viral video” is a digital trap. These hyper-specific trends are engineered to exploit curiosity and FOMO (Fear Of Missing Out). By understanding this tactic and practicing vigilant online hygiene, you can protect yourself and help starve these scams of the engagement they desperately seek.

If you encounter posts promoting these fake leaks, report them immediately to the social media platform as spam or fraud.