Julian Brown, Missing Investor's GoFundMe Doubles Amid Kidnapping Claims — Hoax or Real?

Concerns over the disappearance of Atlanta-based inventor Julian Brown have intensified after a crowdfunding campaign in his name nearly doubled in donations. Brown, known for developing a plastic-to-fuel device that attracted both acclaim and scepticism, has not posted on social media since early July, fuelling widespread speculation.

Supporters claim the 21-year-old may have been kidnapped or forced into hiding, though authorities have confirmed no reports of foul play or official investigations. As interest in his invention grows and donations increase, questions persist over whether the case reflects genuine danger or the volatility of internet-fuelled narratives.

The Inventor Behind Plastoline

Julian Brown is a 21-year-old inventor from Atlanta, widely followed under the username @naturejab_, with an Instagram audience of approximately 1.8 million. He gained attention for founding Naturejab and his work on Plastoline, a prototype device that claims to convert plastic waste into usable fuels including petrol, diesel and aviation fuel via microwave pyrolysis.

Brown was named a 776 Climate Fellow and received a reported $100,000 (approximately £78,000) grant from Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian, according to The Independent. While peer-reviewed data on the Plastoline device has not yet been released, preliminary testing by ASAP Labs in Washington state suggested the recycled fuel may burn cleaner than conventional diesel, The Root reported. Independent scientific scrutiny remains outstanding.

Concerns escalated following a series of Instagram posts in early July. In one, Brown claimed he was 'under attack' and being followed by a 'secret helicopter'. In another, he stated, 'I know I'm not going to live lon'. His final post was published on 9 July. Since then, his accounts have remained inactive.

Crowdfunding Campaign Sees Renewed Interest

In April 2025, Brown launched a GoFundMe campaign to fund the development of a solar-powered version of the Plastoline device. The campaign initially aimed to raise $16,000 (approximately £12,000) but has now surpassed $31,000 (around £27,000) as concerns over his wellbeing gain traction.

Some contributors have said they believe the campaign's success reflects public concern that Brown's innovation may pose a threat to the established energy sector. Others have questioned the campaign's transparency in light of the inventor's disappearance. GoFundMe has not commented publicly on the matter.

Family Confirms Safety, But Questions Persist

On 28 July, Brown's mother, Nia Brown, confirmed to the Daily Mail that her son is alive. She declined to provide his location or further details, citing his personal safety. The Atlanta Police Department also stated that there is no active missing person investigation for Brown, and no reports have been filed.

The lack of official information has led to speculation across Reddit, X, YouTube and TikTok, where theories range from claims of protective custody to suggestions that the incident is part of a staged media campaign. As of now, there is no verified evidence of surveillance or criminal activity, and all claims about threats originate from Brown's own posts.

The case remains unresolved. With no further updates from Brown or his family and no confirmed wrongdoing, public interest continues to grow. The situation straddles the line between genuine safety concerns and the unpredictable dynamics of viral speculation.