Imagine posting lighthearted videos online only to wake up and find thousands of people flooding your page, convinced you’re locked up in Dubai for drug trafficking. That’s exactly what happened to British TikToker Mia O’Brien.
The social media creator, who shares her name with a 23-year-old law student recently sentenced in Dubai, has been swamped with comments from users mistaking her for the woman now serving time at Dubai Central Prison.
“U not in jail,” one commenter wrote under her latest TikTok. Another added, “Is this how Dubai jail looks like?”
The confusion stems from headlines about law student Mia O’Brien, from Liverpool, who was sentenced to 25 years behind bars and fined £100,000 (about $126,000) after Dubai police allegedly found 50 grams of cocaine in her apartment last October. The drugs, valued at around £2,500 ($3,100), were discovered “in one big chunk,” according to reports. She pleaded not guilty but was convicted after a one-day hearing.
Authorities charged her along with a friend and her friend’s boyfriend, accusing all three of drug dealing. The student is now serving time with six other prisoners at Dubai Central Prison.
Back on TikTok, the other Mia O’Brien has been left to clear up the chaos. Replying directly to commenters, she wrote simply: “I’m not in prison 
.”
Still, many kept piling on, with some joking about her sudden wave of attention. “Anyone looking for Dubai girl???” one person teased, while another warned her, “Your view count’s about to go up.”
The mix-up highlights how quickly misinformation can spread online, especially when viral names collide with major international headlines. The TikToker has no connection to the case other than sharing a name with the student whose story has captured global attention.
Meanwhile, the family of the jailed law student has been scrambling for help. Her mother, Danielle McKenna, initially set up a GoFundMe campaign to raise money in hopes of bringing her daughter back to the UK. But the fundraiser was swiftly taken down.
A spokesperson for GoFundMe confirmed its removal, saying: “It was removed because it violates Term 9 of the Prohibited Conduct section in our Terms of Service. Term 9 prohibits raising funds on GoFundMe for the legal defence of certain alleged crimes.”
The case has sparked debate in both the UK and abroad. Dubai has some of the strictest drug laws in the world, and possession of even small amounts can lead to lengthy prison sentences. Rights groups have raised concerns over fair trial standards in the country, while others argue that tourists and expats are well aware of the risks when traveling there.
For the TikToker, though, the incident has been more surreal than anything else. What started as a case of mistaken identity has suddenly turned her TikTok page into a bizarre meeting ground for people following the story of a completely different Mia O’Brien.
