In downtown Essen, Jaluce (854,000 followers on TikTok, almost 400,000 on Instagram) interviewed a homeless man named Khodor. He talked about his living conditions on the street. Jaluce listened with emotion and called for donations in the video. Khodor then repeatedly appeared in the Internet star's videos, as reported by the “Bild” newspaper. Jaluce and Khodor buy food together and distribute it to other homeless people in the Ruhr Metropolis.

40,000 euro scam with homeless videos?

Finally, Khodor is shown in the apartment where he is supposed to live. It is said that 40,000 euros have been collected through donations. Below the video it is written: “Today he has everything, money, work, apartment, food, drink, clothes.” But then the cops meet Hodor downtown and he's apparently homeless again. Police are now investigating Jaluce on suspicion of fraud, grievous bodily harm, threats and coercion.

Chief Inspector Pascal Schwarz-Pettinato explains what happened to “Bild”: “The law enforcement officers met the 24-year-old homeless man in the city center already in August. He was known to an employee of the municipality's security service through donation videos on social media. Since a five-figure donation amount was collected, which was intended for the benefit of the homeless man, the officer was surprised that the man's living situation was not improved.

Hodor said the influencer only paid him a mid-three-figure sum. Khodri was then pressured to record additional – as we now know: staged – videos with the suspect. The homeless man is now turning the tables and self-publishing a TikTok video. In it, Khodor explains how he was tricked and threatened. He thanks the police: “The police have taken away my fears and I don't have to worry about threats against the surnames Al-Zein and Remmo.” Jaluce has yet to comment on the claims made on his social media profiles.