YouTuber Jolto was met with swift backlash after he uploaded a video of a fake call with the late Kobe Bryant.
The video was uploaded only hours after it was reported that a helicopter crash took the lives of Bryant, his daughter Gianna, and seven others.
While many mourned the basketball legend, Jolto took the opportunity to capitalize on Bryant’s death by uploading a video hoax.
In the video titled, “CALLING KOBE BRYANT AT 3 AM! *OMG HE ACTUALLY ANSWERED* (HES NOT DEAD),” Jolto first sends condolences to Bryant’s family and then announces he will be looking for Bryant’s number on the dark web. He urges viewers to watch the video ’til the end and leave comments.
“I have been looking for hours guys, and I think I have managed to find Kobe’s number,” Jolto announces. “This is so scary. I don’t know what’s gonna happen.”
Jolto then feigns a two-way message conversation with Bryant. The phony messages states that Bryant “didn’t want anything to do with the mainstream media anymore” and was “looking for a way out.”
The YouTuber then adds insult to injury by faking a voice call with the late athlete.
“Please can I call you,” he texts the number before making the phony call.
A distorted voice on the other line creepily answers, “help me” and “you should not have called” before ending the call.
The hoax was met with outrage and the Jolto’s YouTube channel was deleted–but not before the video was shared several times.
Twitter users wasted no time roasting Jolto for his lack of sensitivity and urged others to call him out.
“This guy on youtube named jolto did a 3am call with Kobe. Obviously fake, this is not a ad, send him some hate please, he is disrespecting a legend in the most annoying way,” Twitter user @Reewind3 urged.
This guy on youtube named jolto did a 3am call with Kobe. Obviously fake, this is not a ad, send him some hate please, he is disrespecting a legend in the most annoying way @RDBenji @cloakzy @FormaL @OMGItsBirdman @hutchinson @Symfuhny @Scrubby_69 @leafy @
— InfinityWard (@Reewind3) January 27, 2020
Jolto…
— Maíractus (@CloverChesecake) January 28, 2020
That video you made about Kobe. You’re a literal piece of shit.https://t.co/2aUEfQ3VjN
Others compared him to other YouTube creators who also used someone’s death as a way to gain views.
“Anyone on YouTube that uses someone’s death to gain views and subs are not only pathetic but deserves the wrath of the internet. IamJayStation, Jolto and I’mJack are fucking vile humans. Jesus Christ some people have no shame,” Twitter user @Chrissycharisma wrote.
Anyone on YouTube that uses someone’s death to gain views and subs are not only pathetic but deserves the wrath of the internet. IamJayStation, Jolto and I’mJack are fucking vile humans. Jesus Christ some people have no shame.
— Help I’m still alive (@KingCobroJFS) January 28, 2020
IamJaystation was recently under fire for seemingly faking the death of his girlfriend and even conversing with her via Ouija Board.
READ MORE:
