'Deeply distressing': Man charged over deepfake posters…
A 52-year-old Queensland man has been charged with 43 offenses after creating and distributing deepfake posters targeting eight women with sexualized imagery
- Incident date
- May 2024
- Target
- Eight women in Queensland
In May 2024, Queensland Police arrested a 52-year-old man for the creation and distribution of AI-generated posters that targeted eight women across south-east Queensland. The investigation revealed a coordinated campaign of abuse that had been ongoing since February 2021.
What happened
Police launched an investigation after discovering sexualized deepfake posters displayed in public locations, including a venue in Gatton. The AI-generated images superimposed the victims' faces onto bodies performing explicit sexual acts. Beyond the imagery, the posters included the victims' names, social media usernames, and employment details, alongside false claims identifying them as sex workers.
Following a search warrant executed at the man's Cleveland address, authorities seized electronic devices, printers, and various AI-generated posters. The search also uncovered an electronic control weapon, three long firearms, and 25 rounds of ammunition.
As a result of the investigation, the man has been charged with 43 offenses, including 27 counts of distributing intimate images, six counts of unlawful stalking, and four counts of unlawful possession of a firearm. The suspect has been remanded in custody and is scheduled to appear at the Brisbane Magistrates Court on August 19. Ipswich Detective Acting Inspector Tim Martin described the incidents as deeply distressing and highly personal attacks, emphasizing that while AI is an emerging technology, using it to produce abusive or degrading material remains a serious criminal matter subject to police investigation.