More police reports lodged against Johor teen over AI doctored lewd pics

JOHOR BAHRU - More police reports have been lodged against a male teenager who allegedly used artificial intelligence (AI) to create doctored lewd images of his schoolmates and school alumni, said Johor police chief M. Kumar.

A total of 22 reports have been lodged by victims against the 16-year-old suspect as of noon on April 12, he said.

“The suspect’s remand, which ends today, has been extended until Tuesday (April 15) to assist with the ongoing police investigation,” he said.

Datuk Kumar added that police were investigating how many of the doctored images the suspect had sold or whether there were other individuals involved in the case.

Initially, eight police reports had been lodged by suspected victims against the teen, which led to his arrest at around 5pm on April 8 in Kulai.

The suspect used AI to edit photos of his victims, which he obtained through social media, before selling the images at RM2 (60 Singapore cents) each.

In a statement on April 10, the school’s board of directors said it had expelled the teenager from the school in accordance with its rules.

The use of deepfake technology to fabricate and disseminate obscene images of school students is a stark reminder of the urgent need for stricter digital safety protocols in all educational institutions, said Deputy Communications Minister Teo Nie Ching on April 12.

She confirmed that 38 people have been identified as victims, with the youngest reportedly only 12 or 13 years old.

“The six initially involved had just graduated from secondary school, but the scope of this incident is far wider and more disturbing.

“It shows just how serious this issue has become,” she said during a press conference at the Kulai MP’s office on April 12.

She said one of the most pressing issues to be