Influencer leaves iPhone in Kerala market for 90 minutes; What happened next has stunned internet, video crosses 40 million views

A German traveller decided to put India’s safety to the test, by leaving an iPhone all alone in a busy market and walking away. The result? A viral Instagram video that has now been watched over 40 million times.

Influencer Younes Zarou carried out the social experiment somewhere in Kerala. In the video, he places an iPhone on a bench in a bustling market, then steps away to a hidden spot where he secretly films what happens next.

The experiment began around 4:30pm. Shoppers, vendors, and curious onlookers passed by, some casting quick glances at the phone, others not noticing it at all. But no one touched it.


By 5:30pm, dozens had walked past the unattended iPhone, a gadget many in India might find too expensive to own, yet it remained exactly where Zarou had left it. Finally, at around 6pm, he returned to pick up the still-safe phone, smiling at the camera.

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A post shared by Younes Zarou (@youneszarou)

What social media thinks

While many praised the video as a feel-good moment showcasing honesty in India, others were sceptical.

“If you keep a big tripod and big camera in front, nobody will rob your phone,” one viewer commented. “If someone had taken it, this video would never come out.”

Another quipped, “Don’t try this in Bihar.”

The man behind the experiment

Younes Zarou is no stranger to the spotlight. The German influencer rose to fame in 2019 on TikTok with his eye-catching illusion videos. He has been travelling through India recently, capturing content along the way.

Last month, his adventures briefly hit a snag when he was held by Bengaluru Police for organising a public event on Church Street without prior approval.

Whether his iPhone experiment truly proves India’s streets are safe or simply shows that people don’t want to be caught on camera stealing, one thing’s certain: Zarou’s Kerala clip has got the internet talking.