In early February 2026, a photo purportedly showing Jeffrey Epstein alive in Tel Aviv gained significant traction on social media, particularly on the platform X, where it was shared extensively with claims that the Israeli government had staged his death. This incident serves as a classic example of disinformation, fueled by public interest and a singular piece of provocative evidence—the photograph itself. The image features an older man with a beard, wearing sunglasses and walking through a city street with two bodyguards, leading many to speculate it is Epstein himself.

On February 6, various posts on the social media platform X claimed that Israel had orchestrated Epstein's death and that he was now freely roaming the streets of Tel Aviv. Each of these claims attracted millions of views, despite the lack of any concrete evidence to back them up. The narratives surrounding the photo have contributed to a growing conspiracy theory that suggests Epstein was never truly dead and that his demise was part of a larger plot involving powerful figures and governments.

This situation underscores the challenges of misinformation in the digital age, where a single viral image, devoid of context or verifiable proof, can stir public frenzy and misconceptions. As 'Faktomāts' investigates this phenomenon, it becomes evident that the combination of a compelling narrative and limited factual grounding can easily mislead the public, necessitating critical thinking and media literacy to navigate through such sensational claims.