Johor teenager nabbed for allegedly creating selling lewd AI pics of schoolmates

JOHOR BAHRU - A 16-year-old boy has been arrested for allegedly using artificial intelligence (AI) to create pornographic images of his schoolmates and school alumni.

Johor police chief M. Kumar said the cops had received eight reports against the teenager, who was arrested at 5pm on April 8 in Kulai, Johor Bahru.

“We have also seized a phone believed to have been used to edit and upload lewd photos of his victims on social media, which are then sold at RM2 (60 Singapore cents) each.

“Early investigation found that the suspect used AI to edit photos of his victims, which he obtained through social media,” he said in a statement on April 9.

He said the suspect is being remanded for four days from April 9 to assist in investigations.

“We urge other victims to come forward and lodge a report at their nearest police station.

“We would also like to remind the public not to share photos of the victims on social media,” he said, adding that those with information on the case could contact inspector Nurul Huda Shohodin at +60-013-5382698.

The case is being investigated under Section 292 of the Penal Code for the sale, distribution, or circulation of obscene materials and Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act for sharing offensive and inappropriate content.

Meanwhile, Deputy Digital Minister Teo Nie Ching said 30 to 40 of the student’s schoolmates and his school’s alumni were believed to be victims of his AI-generated images.

“A majority of them are the school’s alumni. However, there are also current students as young as 14 years old.

“It is possible that some victims are still unaware that their images have been maliciously manipulated and distributed. We learnt that multiple groups using the name ‘Foon Yew’ have emerged on social media