Police investigate Lappeenranta deepfake case with over 100 possible victims

Yle reports that police are investigating a case in Lappeenranta in which an underage boy is suspected of distributing AI-generated nude images of several young girls. The suspected victims are minors, and there may be more than 100 of them, all in the Lappeenranta area.

The Southeastern Finland Police have begun a preliminary investigation. It is still in its early stages, and police have not yet contacted everyone connected to the case.

Crime Commissioner Pia Katajala advised anyone who suspects they have become a victim to file a criminal report electronically or at a police station. Images encountered on social media should not be shared further. Instead, they should be reported to the police, as forwarding them could constitute a crime.

At this stage, it is not possible to determine whether someone’s images have been used in deepfakes. This may become possible as the investigation progresses. Police are working to identify all parties with legal standing in the case and will contact them later.

Katajala said that preventing such a situation is practically impossible. Anyone who publishes images on social media should be aware that they may end up in the wrong hands.

Anyone distressed by the situation should talk to a trusted adult, such as a parent, teacher, school social worker or therapist.