In early 2023, rumours regarding child kidnappings across Indonesia triggered a series of mass hysteria and vigilante actions across the country. The rumours were mostly spread through WhatsApp, Facebook, and TikTok which, according to authorities, were mostly fake. The rumours resulted in injuries and fatalities in some places, with the most severe case in Wamena, leaving dozens dead shot by the police during the riot; and in Sorong, where a woman was burned alive. In other places such as North Musi Rawas Regency, five men were injured after being beaten by a mob who accused them of kidnapping; and in Surabaya, where a mentally ill person was also beaten to death. Background The rumours started in early January 2023 in various locations such as Sumatra, Java, Sulawesi, and Papua. Most of these rumours appeared to be used against perceived outsider or migrant communities around them, while some blamed the mentally-ill. Officials argued this was due to low digital literacy within Indonesians, while experts added that this is due to low trust in the state instruments. The rumours multiplied fast through social media and caused mob rules and vigilante actions across the country. Most of the rumours were dismissed as fake and "scaremongering" by officials. Despite this, there are several viral kidnapping cases reported since December 2022 according to Ministry of Women Empowerment and Child Protection. Timeline In Ambon, Maluku early January 2023, a rumour spread across communities that four elementary students were almost duped and kidnapped. This resulted in mayor of the city asked for investigation behind the rumour. However, until 11 January, there were no confirmation regarding the case. Later, head of police resort of the city, Meity Jacobus, clarified that the kidnapping never took place and the story was made up by the child. In late January 2023, a voice recording that said about an attempt of child kidnapping spread across WhatsApp in East Java. On 31 January, regional police of the province said that the rumour was fake and will investigate the source of said rumour. Screenshots of a conversation about a supposed child abduction with photo of the child's corpse were spread on WhatsApp through chain messages in Depok. The screenshots were later dismissed as hoax by the local Director of Cyber Crime. On 23 January, a woman in Tangerang Regency, Banten, escaped an attack after being falsely accused of kidnapping a child in a small