Incident archive

Lighthouse Journalism fact-checked a viral image circulating on social media that claimed to show Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Cockroach Janta Party founder Abhijeet Dipke. The investigation found the image to be AI-generated using multiple AI content detectors, including HIVE, Sightengine, and ZeroGPT. There were no credible reports or evidence of a meeting between the two individuals, and the image was shared by users including Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut, who later deleted the post after making unverified claims about the meeting.

Topics: Synthetic Image, Visual Impersonation

Two students at Isbell Middle School in the Santa Paula Unified School District were expelled for using artificial intelligence to create sexually explicit images of female classmates. The expulsions, announced by Superintendent Jeffrey Weinstein on June 10, 2026, were based on state education code violations including bullying and creating an obscene act. One student used smart glasses to take photos, though it is unclear if both did. A female teacher who was allegedly photographed and had images manipulated is in contact with police. The incident is under police investigation, and authorities will determine whether charges will be filed. The district has formed an AI task force to discuss the technology's effects.

Topics: Deepfake, Synthetic Image

U.S. authorities seized two domains, cfake.com and socfake.com, for hosting thousands of non-consensual intimate images and AI-generated deepfakes depicting prominent women as nude or engaged in sexual activities. The seizure was carried out under the Take it Down Act following an alert from Italy's Polizia di Stato and a federal judge's warrant. French authorities conducted a parallel investigation, resulting in an arrest in Nice, France, and the seizure of cryptocurrency. The action was coordinated between the U.S. Department of Justice, the Department of Homeland Security, and international law enforcement agencies.

Topics: Deepfake

US, French, and Italian authorities seized the domains CFAKE.com and SOCFAKE.com for hosting thousands of AI-generated or digitally altered images and videos depicting nude women, including politicians, royalty, and entertainers, without their consent. The sites allowed users to browse content by topics such as 'rape' and 'forced,' and were shut down under the TAKE IT DOWN Act following a coordinated international investigation. French authorities arrested Cyrille B., an administrator of CFAKE.com, and seized cryptocurrency funds linked to the site's advertising revenue. The operation identified over 300,000 images and 7,000 videos depicting 14,000 individuals from various countries.

Topics: Deepfake

An AI-generated image depicting a man holding a placard reading 'Calabar South get ready' circulated on WhatsApp in Cross River State, Nigeria, causing public panic amid recent security concerns. The Cross River State Command of the Nigeria Police Force refuted the image as unverified and not an official communication, noting visible signs of AI generation such as a 'Meta AI' watermark and a lack of identifiable location details. Police advised the public to disregard the content and obtain information only from credible sources.

Topics: Synthetic Image, Authenticity Harm

Delhi Police arrested a 30-year-old man named Sourav for using AI-based tools to create morphed obscene images of young women. He obtained these images under the pretense of job offers and then used the manipulated images to blackmail and extort money from victims via social media, causing financial and psychological harm.

Topics: Deepfake, Synthetic Image

A fake image depicting Karmelo Anthony crying in court was circulated on social media platform X on June 9, 2026. Fact-checkers determined the image was not authentic because no cameras were permitted in the courtroom during his trial, and Anthony's hairstyle in the image did not match his appearance at the time of the trial or the mugshot released after sentencing. The viral post was made by user @Honeys_Money1, who captioned the image with an emotional message.

Topics: Image Manipulation, Visual Impersonation

The Times of India published a correction stating that a viral story about a passenger receiving a bus ticket to Dubai for Rs 10,000 was fake. The newspaper identified the image of the ticket as AI-generated and circulated on social media, which sparked misinformation. The passenger, P Damadoran, could not be reached for clarification despite multiple attempts by TOI. The original story, published on June 9, 2026, claimed a software error in the ticketing machine caused the unusual fare and destination.

Topics: Synthetic Image

YouTuber M Maridhas was arrested for sharing an altered image of Tamil Nadu Industries Minister S Keerthana. He was booked under sections 79 and 353(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and section 66D of the Information Technology Act.

Topics: Image Manipulation, Visual Impersonation

xAI, the artificial intelligence company founded by Elon Musk, has requested that four plaintiffs in a class-action lawsuit against its Grok chatbot file the case using their real names. The plaintiffs, who accuse Grok of generating deepfake pornographic images, oppose this request, arguing that revealing their identities would cause secondary trauma and increase their risk of online harassment. They have currently registered under pseudonyms in court records while willing to disclose their true identities privately to xAI.

Topics: Deepfake

Journalist Laurie Segall spent three years investigating Mr. Deepfakes, a website that hosted AI-generated deepfake pornography featuring celebrities and everyday people. The site, which drew up to 17 million monthly visitors, was shut down in May 2025 after a service provider withdrew support. Segall's investigation, which involved using AI facial recognition to identify the site's owner in Markham, Ontario, contributed to the site's closure. The investigation was documented in a 14-part docuseries, Searching for Mr. Deepfakes, which is streaming on Paris Hilton's TikTok account. Hilton, who has been a victim of deepfake abuse herself, advocates for legislation like the DEFIANCE Act to help victims take legal action against creators and distributors of such content.

Topics: Deepfake

A Utah woman, Elora Nelson, was targeted by scammers who used an AI-generated image of her missing cat, Cora, to fabricate an emergency surgery scenario. The scammers contacted Nelson claiming the cat had been brought in for emergency surgery after being hit by a car and sent an AI-generated image depicting the cat on a surgical table. Nelson initially believed the image was real but later verified with the veterinary office that no such surgery was taking place and that the caller had already scammed another victim. The scammers demanded over $2,700, which Nelson refused to pay after confirming the fraud.

Topics: Synthetic Image

British lawmaker Jess Asato says users of Elon Musk–owned xAI's Grok AI created and shared fake sexualised images of her, including images depicting her in a bikini and a video showing her being chloroformed and prepared for a sexual assault. Asato alleges Grok "created deepfake pornography and sexualised content" and has filed a claim at the High Court in England alleging breaches of data protection law and misuse of her private information, seeking damages, a formal acknowledgement of illegality, and an order requiring xAI to stop further unlawful conduct.

Topics: Deepfake, Synthetic Image, Image Manipulation, Authenticity Harm, Digital Identity Abuse

A New York Post article reports that journalist Laurie Segall’s investigation identified 36-year-old Toronto pharmacist David Do as the operator of “Mr. Deepfakes,” a website that allowed users to create and share nonconsensual AI-generated sexual videos using photographs. The report says the site at its height had over 17 million monthly users.

Topics: Deepfake, Synthetic Image, Image Manipulation, Digital Identity Abuse, Authenticity Harm

A viral photo claiming to show activist Anna Hazare at the first press conference of the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) was doctored. BOOM found Hazare was not present at the event and had been digitally inserted into the original photograph, which showed only the three CJP spokespersons.

Topics: Image Manipulation, Visual Impersonation, Authenticity Harm

ESPN aired an AI-generated image of former Spurs point guard and four-time champion Tony Parker. The image showed Parker smiling and waving his finger, wearing a racing Spurs jacket with a Western Conference logo on one sleeve and what looked like an American flag on the other, plus a black-and-gray sideways hat and confetti in the background.

Topics: Synthetic Image, Image Manipulation, Deepfake, Authenticity Harm

During the NBA Finals Game 1 broadcast, ESPN aired an AI-generated image of former Spurs guard Tony Parker—depicting him smiling, waving a finger, wearing a Spurs jacket and a sideways hat—while cutting to a commercial break in the second half. Viewers and journalists on X criticized the network, saying the image was not Parker and questioning ESPN’s use of AI-generated imagery.

Topics: Synthetic Image, Image Manipulation, Deepfake, Visual Impersonation, Authenticity Harm

A photo circulating on social media in early June 2026 claimed to show the White House South Lawn torn up for UFC Fight Night ring construction was identified as likely AI-generated. Fact-checkers noted that reputable photo agencies did not show the level of damage depicted in the image as of early June 2026. Online detection tool Hive Moderation rated the image as 94.8% likely AI-generated. CNN and Getty Images published photos from May 31 and June 2, 2026, respectively, showing ongoing construction that did not match the extent of damage shown in the viral image.

Topics: Image Manipulation

An AI-altered image circulated on X showing Michigan U.S. Senate candidate and former congressman Mike Rogers with exaggerated, superhero-like muscles. The image — marked with a “made with AI” disclaimer — was posted by Abby Ronson, a staffer at a campaign vendor, and the post reached about 1.7 million views.

Topics: Synthetic Image, Image Manipulation, Authenticity Harm

An AI-doctored version of a Detroit News photo of former U.S. Rep. Mike Rogers (the original was taken at a Fourth of July parade in 2024 in Milford) circulated on social media, showing an exaggerated muscular physique. The altered image was widely shared and mocked online, generated additional AI variations (depicting Rogers obese, as the Hulk, and as a curvy woman), and drew responses from Rogers' campaign and multiple public figures on platforms including X.

Topics: Synthetic Image, Image Manipulation, Visual Impersonation, Authenticity Harm, Digital Identity Abuse

AI or Not audited 16 commercial AI image-generation models and found they produced synthetic government identity documents in 69 of 75 test attempts; five named consumer products (Google Gemini [Nano Banana], ChatGPT Images 2.0, Recraft v4, Grok, and Imagen 4 Ultra) generated high-fidelity fake adult IDs the report says could deceive a human reviewer. The audit covered documents for 17 countries and the 16 most populous U.S. states. The report also found three models (Google Gemini, Grok, and Imagen 4 Ultra) produced high-fidelity fake IDs of minors via their standard consumer interfaces, while ChatGPT (Images 2.0) and Recraft v4 declined minor-ID requests in consumer apps but fulfilled them via developer APIs. AI or Not identified an interface-versus-API safety gap and said reframing prompts as KYC/compliance requests caused all 16 models to produce synthetic IDs.

Topics: Synthetic Image, Image Manipulation, Visual Impersonation, Digital Identity Abuse, Authenticity Harm

An image of Michigan Senate hopeful Mike Rogers was altered using artificial intelligence to add pronounced muscles to a photo originally taken July 4, 2024. The doctored photo, shared by Abby Ronson (a former GOP congressional aide who works for a Rogers campaign vendor), included a "Made with AI" disclaimer and was widely circulated on social media.

Topics: Synthetic Image, Image Manipulation, Visual Impersonation, Authenticity Harm

German TV actress Collien Fernandes accused her ex-husband, television personality Christian Ulmen, of impersonating her on fake online accounts and sharing AI-generated sexually explicit images made to look like her. Ulmen’s attorney denied the claims and Ulmen has not commented publicly.

Topics: Deepfake, Synthetic Image, Image Manipulation, Digital Identity Abuse, Authenticity Harm

On June 1, 2026, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott posted an AI-generated image on X showing himself in a San Antonio Spurs jersey appearing to dunk a basketball over a player in a New York jersey; many users interpreted the player as New York Gov. Kathy Hochul. The synthetic image, which also included an animated depiction of former President Trump laughing, drew substantial engagement (reported as more than 13,000 likes, 2,200 shares and roughly 2,800 comments); Abbott did not name Hochul in the post and his office had not commented, and the Spurs declined to comment.

Topics: Synthetic Image, Image Manipulation

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott posted a commissioned, AI-generated image of himself dunking in a San Antonio Spurs jersey to Kathy Hochul's social-media timeline. The article describes the image as fully AI-generated and accompanied by a taunting caption referencing the Spurs beating the Knicks. The post was published as a direct response to New York Gov. Kathy Hochul's earlier sports-related comment; the report frames the image as a deliberate political provocation but does not describe further verified consequences beyond the social-media taunt.

Topics: Synthetic Image, Image Manipulation, Visual Impersonation, Authenticity Harm

On June 1 and 2, Facebook users circulated a manipulated photograph of the Vinnytsia Technical Vocational College in Ukraine, falsely claiming students formed a swastika. The image had been mirrored to create this false impression, whereas the authentic version shows students depicting the Svarga, a traditional Slavic solar symbol, during a Vyshyvanka Day celebration on May 21, 2026. The manipulation involved reversing the image, which also caused objects like a bench inscription and a manhole cover to appear on the wrong side compared to the original photos published by the college.

Topics: Image Manipulation

The official White House Instagram account tied to former US President Barack Obama (@obamawhitehouse) was compromised over the weekend, and hackers posted an AI-generated image with a provocative caption reportedly translating to "The White House is under Shiites' control," according to TMZ. Meta confirmed to TMZ that the account was secured and the unauthorized content removed.

Topics: Synthetic Image, Image Manipulation, Visual Impersonation, Authenticity Harm

Nettavisen reports that the magazine Se og Hør published a photograph presented as Marius Borg Høiby (29) sitting in a swimming pool in the yard of Oslo prison; the image appeared to be manipulated (VG noted the pictured subject had six fingers).

Topics: Image Manipulation, Authenticity Harm

President Donald Trump posted a doctored side-by-side photo of the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool on Truth Social around 3 p.m. on Monday. The two images are otherwise identical — showing the same cloud formations and people — but the image labeled as Trump’s displays much bluer water, which the article describes as a color swap of the other photo.

Topics: Image Manipulation, Authenticity Harm

On June 1, 2026, U.S. President Donald Trump circulated an AI-generated image on his Truth Social account showing his likeness carved alongside George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt, and Abraham Lincoln on Mount Rushmore. The article reports he shared the digitally fabricated rendering without accompanying text; the post revived his previously expressed desire to be added to the monument.

Topics: Synthetic Image, Image Manipulation, Authenticity Harm

A doctored photo collage circulated on Facebook on May 31, 2026, falsely depicted Syrian President Abu Mohammed al-Jolani (Ahmed al-Sharaa) removing his shoes during a meeting with US President Donald Trump and wearing them while performing Islamic prayer. Tempo.co English fact-checked the content using reverse image searches and verified reports from other credible sources, including the Dubai media website Albayan and the Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA). The investigation confirmed that the original photo of the meeting, taken on September 29, 2025, showed al-Sharaa wearing dark brown dress shoes, and photos from the Eid al-Fitr prayer at the People's Palace Mosque in Damascus showed him without shoes, wearing only socks. Tempo concluded that the images and the accompanying narrative containing hate speech were fabricated.

Topics: Image Manipulation

Police in Tran Phu Commune, Hanoi, issued an administrative penalty on May 31, 2026, against N.H.D. (born 1979) for posting a fabricated image on a Facebook account that claimed rice drying outdoors had burst into popcorn-like pieces during extreme heat. Authorities said he took an image from social media, combined it with a personal photograph, uploaded the edited image to attract engagement, and acknowledged the content did not depict a real event. N.H.D. was fined 7.5 million VND, removed the post, and pledged not to repeat the offence after being informed of legal regulations governing social media use.

Topics: Image Manipulation, Authenticity Harm

Nigel Farage posted on X an image that Metro says "appears to be an AI image" showing a group of migrants in a dinghy holding red placards reading "Vote Andy For Us" alongside a cartoon of Andy Burnham; Farage captioned the post, "Andy Burnham is for them, not for you. Vote Reform in Makerfield."

Topics: Synthetic Image, Image Manipulation, Authenticity Harm

Donald Trump posted on Truth Social an AI-generated image purporting to show a “drone port” on the roof of a proposed White House ballroom; the image depicts troops on the roof surrounded by stationary drones. The AI-created image, shared with a caption referencing the ballroom, prompted reaction and commentary on social media.

Topics: Synthetic Image, Image Manipulation, Authenticity Harm

US President Donald Trump posted an AI-generated image on his Truth Social account showing his likeness added to the Mount Rushmore sculpture alongside George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt, and Abraham Lincoln. He shared the image without comment; the article identifies the image as AI-generated and contextualizes it with Trump's past public comments and political allies' proposals about adding his face to the monument.

Topics: Synthetic Image, Image Manipulation, Authenticity Harm

Hilda Berg, 19, who runs a TikTok account about politics, said a podcast episode cover image showing her with much enlarged breasts was AI-generated without her consent. She posted a reaction on TikTok calling it sexism; the podcast hosts responded that it was “clickbait,” and one host, Viktor Klemming, admitted creating the image and replied that he did it because it was “funny.”

Topics: Synthetic Image, Image Manipulation, Digital Identity Abuse, Authenticity Harm

President Donald Trump posted an AI-generated image on his Truth Social account that depicted him and New York Governor Kathy Hochul in a stylised basketball-themed rivalry. The image placed the two political figures in a sports “face-off” scenario rather than documenting a real event.

Topics: Synthetic Image, Image Manipulation, Visual Impersonation, Authenticity Harm

Actress Urvashi Rautela responded to a viral AI-generated image that depicted her kneeling before other Bollywood actresses like Aishwarya Rai and Deepika Padukone in a visual hierarchy. The fan-made image, created after her appearance at the Cannes Film Festival 2026, showed several leading actresses seated on thrones while others, including Rautela, were shown kneeling to imply a lower status. Rautela criticized the post and the culture of comparison on her Instagram stories, calling for an end to the toxicity and negativity associated with such comparisons.

Topics: Deepfake, Synthetic Image, Visual Impersonation

Summer Murphy, a 19-year-old New Zealand woman, became the victim of the country's first deepfake prosecution when an offender used photos from her social media accounts, including images from when she was 14 or 15, to create sexually explicit deepfake images. Dozens of these manipulated images were uploaded to a pornography website with her real name and insulting descriptions, and were also sent to her friends and family. The offender pleaded guilty in September 2025 and was sentenced to 24 months of intensive supervision in the North Shore District Court, with the judge ruling the offending constituted sexual offending. Murphy advocates for legislative changes to make it easier for victims to seek justice without needing to prove the offender's intent.

Topics: Deepfake

A Thai police officer named Rachata generated an AI image depicting police officers in drag to create a friendlier, humorous image of the police force. The arrest details in the post were genuine, and the original image showed five male officers in ordinary clothes around a suspect. The AI-generated image went viral after being reposted by a local media outlet. Another officer confirmed Rachata managed the Facebook page but was unaware the image had spread internationally.

Topics: Synthetic Image, Visual Impersonation

A former royal butler, Grant Harrold, shared an image on Instagram that he believed was a genuine photograph of Prince William and Catherine, Princess of Wales, from 2004. The image depicted the couple in casual attire and was captioned as a memory from his time working for the royal household. Followers quickly identified the image as AI-generated, prompting Harrold to apologize for being deceived and promising to be more cautious about future content.

Topics: Deepfake, Synthetic Image, Visual Impersonation, Digital Identity Abuse

Paris Hilton stated that over 100,000 explicit deepfake images of her have been created by AI without her consent. She shared a video of a speech where she discussed the threat of nonconsensual AI-generated imagery and her support for the Defiance Act, which would allow victims to take legal action against creators of such images. Hilton also announced a new 14-part series on her TikTok channel titled 'Searching for Mr. Deepfakes' to investigate deepfake abusers and highlight the harm caused by digital impersonation.

Topics: Deepfake, Synthetic Image

Former royal butler Grant Harrold posted a suspected AI-generated photo of Prince William and Catherine to his Instagram account, captioning it as a picture from 2004 and saying he "genuinely mistook" it for an authentic image. Followers flagged the image as likely AI-generated.

Topics: Deepfake, Synthetic Image, Image Manipulation, Visual Impersonation, Authenticity Harm

Police in northern Greece opened a case against two 15-year-olds after a teenage girl alleged that an AI-generated fake nude image of her was created and shared among minors. The incident occurred in the Kilkis regional unit, where authorities stated a classmate used one of the victim's photographs to create a digitally altered image depicting her nude through an artificial intelligence application.

Topics: Deepfake, Synthetic Image

Harold Grant, a former royal butler who served the future King Charles from 2004 to 2011, posted an image on Instagram depicting young Prince William and Princess Kate Middleton with the caption claiming it was taken when he first met them in 2004. After fans questioned the authenticity of the photo, suggesting it was AI-generated, Grant issued an apology stating he had unknowingly shared an AI image and admitted he genuinely mistook it for an authentic photograph from 2004. He apologized for the error and promised to be more cautious in the future to ensure his content remains authentic.

Topics: Deepfake, Synthetic Image, Visual Impersonation

Federal prosecutors in Brooklyn have charged two men, Cornelius Shannon of New Jersey and Arturo Hernandez of Texas, with creating and posting deepfake pornography under a new bipartisan law known as the 'Take It Down' act. The alleged perpetrators operated separate rings and were accused of creating thousands of images and videos depicting actresses, singers, political figures, and non-celebrity women in sexual situations. The Department of Justice identified approximately 473 albums containing 140 different victims, with prosecutors alleging that content published by Hernandez was viewed nearly a million times.

Topics: Deepfake, Synthetic Image

On Sunday morning, President Donald Trump posted a series of AI-generated images on Truth Social, including depictions of former President Barack Obama and other political figures in prison under the title 'The Shady Bunch,' as well as an image of bombs being dropped on Iranian ships. Trump also shared images of himself and Chinese President Xi Jinping, including one claiming he was getting younger. The posts occurred while the U.S. and Iran were reportedly near a deal to end their war.

Topics: Synthetic Image, Image Manipulation

US President Donald Trump posted an AI-generated image on his Truth Social platform depicting an American drone destroying an Iranian naval vessel, accompanied by the caption 'Adios.' The post was made while Washington and Tehran were discussing a possible ceasefire agreement, sparking speculation about a potential return to military tensions with Iran. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also used AI-generated imagery on social media, posting a photo of himself and Trump with the caption 'Iran will never have a nuclear weapon.'

Topics: Synthetic Image, Visual Impersonation

US President Donald Trump posted an AI-generated image on his social media platform Truth Social depicting a US drone attacking two Iranian-flagged ships. The image was shared shortly after Trump announced that a potential agreement between Washington and Tehran had been largely negotiated. The digitally created image showed a drone launching an attack on two ships carrying Iranian flags, with smoke and flames billowing from the vessels and figures appearing to be thrown into the ocean following apparent explosions. The post was captioned with the single word 'Adios.'

Topics: Synthetic Image

On 2026-05-23, Donald Trump posted an AI-generated, edited image on Truth Social showing an enlarged version of himself looming over Greenland’s mountains with the caption “Hello, Greenland!” The article explicitly describes the picture as an AI-generated/edited photo.

Topics: Synthetic Image, Image Manipulation, Authenticity Harm

An East Texas man, Arturo Hernandez, was arrested on suspicion of using artificial intelligence to create deepfake pornography depicting more than 50 individuals. Over a period of about one year, Hernandez allegedly published 113 online albums containing AI-generated videos of public figures and private citizens engaging in sexually explicit actions, which were viewed close to a million times. Hernandez and another man were charged with violating the TAKE IT DOWN Act for the nonconsensual publication of AI-generated deepfake porn.

Topics: Deepfake, Synthetic Image

Federal prosecutors in Brooklyn charged two men, Cornelius Shannon and Arturo Hernandez, with using AI to generate thousands of nonconsensual deepfake pornographic images and videos targeting female celebrities, elected officials, and acquaintances. The charges were brought under the Take It Down Act, which criminalizes the creation and publication of nonconsensual AI-generated intimate imagery. The defendants were arrested in the Eastern District of New York, and the content reportedly accumulated millions of views online. The Take It Down Act was signed into law in May 2025, and the defendants were charged around the one-year anniversary of its enactment, coinciding with new platform compliance deadlines.

Topics: Deepfake, Synthetic Image

The Trumbull Republican Town Committee posted an image on its Facebook page that was generated by artificial intelligence. The image depicted an elephant in a classroom with a document on the wall altered to read 'We Jew People' instead of 'We the People.' Town Democrats, including First Selectman Vicki Tesoro, criticized the post as antisemitic and hateful, leading to its removal. The committee subsequently apologized, stating the phrasing was unintentional and not carefully reviewed.

Topics: Synthetic Image, Visual Impersonation, Authenticity Harm

Federal prosecutors in the Eastern District of New York charged Arturo Hernandez of Texas and Cornelius Shannon of New Jersey with using AI to generate and distribute non-consensual sexually explicit images of real women. The charges were filed under the Take It Down Act, a 2025 federal law that criminalizes the publication of non-consensual intimate imagery, including AI-generated deepfakes, and mandates platform removal of flagged content within 48 hours. Prosecutors allege the defendants uploaded over 470 albums containing more than 140 women to websites where the content received millions of views, depicting actresses, singers, political figures, and high school graduates in sexual acts using AI software to alter real photographs.

Topics: Deepfake, Synthetic Image

Social media users shared a photograph purportedly showing newly elected Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Joseph Vijay celebrating his recent election win with his wife and children. Fact-checking analysis using WasitAI and Hive Moderation indicated a high probability that the image was AI-generated or deepfake content, with visual inconsistencies such as unnatural extra arm-like structures and distorted hands observed upon close inspection.

Topics: Synthetic Image, Visual Impersonation

ExxonMobil alleges that the Massachusetts Attorney General's Office doctored a photograph of an Exxon station sign during a deposition. The Assistant Attorney General, Brian Clappier, presented a cropped version of the image that omitted a disclaimer about the company's Synergy gasoline, which the full photo had already been introduced into evidence. Exxon claims this was done to elicit misleading testimony from a witness, while the Attorney General's office disputes the allegation, calling it a mistake.

Topics: Image Manipulation, Authenticity Harm

On May 21, 2026, a digitally manipulated photograph falsely depicting reality television star Khloe Kardashian and actor Michael B. Jordan on a dinner date circulated widely across social media networks. The image, published by a parody account on X, showed a collage of paparazzi-style images with distinct visual anomalies indicating fabrication using artificial intelligence software. Users quickly identified the graphics as AI-generated, expressing skepticism about the authenticity of the romantic connection and noting the lack of confirmation from either celebrity.

Topics: Deepfake, Synthetic Image, Visual Impersonation

A Lyft driver in Florida was accused of submitting an AI-generated image to support a $75 damage claim against a rider. The rider, a teenage girl named Ella, identified an AI watermark in the photo provided by Lyft customer service, which depicted spilled food and drink in the car's backseat. Lyft reviewed the claim, agreed the image was fake, reimbursed the rider, and permanently removed the driver from the platform.

Topics: Synthetic Image

Federal prosecutors have charged two men, Cornelius Shannon and Arturo Hernandez, with using artificial intelligence to create nude videos and photos of female celebrities. The defendants were arrested for generating sexually explicit AI content that drew millions of views online. They are among the earliest defendants to face charges under the Take It Down Act, a law signed by President Donald Trump that adds stricter penalties for publishing AI-created deepfakes and revenge porn. Under the new law, the men now face up to two years in prison.

Topics: Deepfake

A Lyft driver in Florida was accused of submitting an AI-generated image to support a $75 damage claim against a teenage rider and her friend. The rider's father, Bert Gor, received a photo from Lyft customer service showing alleged mess in the car, but his daughter Ella identified an AI logo in the image's corner, indicating it was fake. Lyft apologized and removed the driver from the platform after reviewing the rider's concerns.

Topics: Synthetic Image

A 20-year-old man from Bedias, Texas, named Arturo Hernandez, was arrested on May 20 for allegedly using artificial intelligence to create and distribute non-consensual deepfake pornography. According to federal charges, Hernandez published approximately 113 albums containing images of around 50 identifiable female victims, including classmates from Anderson-Shiro High School, since May 2025. The alleged material, which has reportedly been viewed nearly a million times, involved manipulating yearbook-style portraits of graduating students into sexually explicit videos. Hernandez is expected to be arraigned in the Eastern District of New York, where he faces up to two years in prison if convicted under the TAKE IT DOWN Act.

Topics: Deepfake, Synthetic Image

Federal authorities arrested two individuals, Cornelius Shannon of New Jersey and Arturo Hernandez of Texas, for allegedly posting thousands of deepfake pornographic images and videos of celebrities and politicians. The defendants were charged under the TAKE IT DOWN Act for publishing non-consensual AI-generated sexual content depicting real people without their permission. Since May 2025, Shannon published deepfake content featuring 90 victims, while Hernandez posted content involving 50 victims, including classmates and friends, with the material collectively viewed millions of times.

Topics: Deepfake

A social media post by the @JoshHall2024 account on X on May 19, 2026, circulated a manipulated image depicting Sasha Obama wearing a MAGA hat. Fact-checking revealed the image was digitally altered from a photograph originally published by a celebrity news agency on July 22, 2025. AI detection tools indicated the image was likely AI-generated, and visual analysis confirmed digital manipulation around the hat and hairline. The claim that Sasha Obama was photographed wearing the hat was found to be false.

Topics: Image Manipulation, Visual Impersonation

The Stark County Sheriff's Office in Ohio issued a warning about an AI-generated image circulating on social media that falsely claimed deputies were dispatched to Middlebranch Elementary School to investigate a device. The sheriff's office confirmed the image was fake and that no incident occurred at the school, nor did any units respond there.

Topics: Synthetic Image

A conservation research group debunked a viral social media post claiming to show a camera trap image of an orangutan cuddling a clouded leopard. The image, which circulated on Facebook, was identified as AI-generated by AFP using an AI detection tool that found a 99.6 percent probability of fabricated content. Experts from the Danau Girang Field Centre in East Malaysia's Sabah state stated the interaction is biologically impossible because clouded leopards are natural predators and orangutans do not live in groups or sit upright in the manner depicted.

Topics: Synthetic Image, Authenticity Harm

On May 18, 2026, Donald Trump posted an AI-generated image on his verified Truth Social account depicting himself in combat gear arresting a humanoid alien on a military warship. This post occurred shortly after he issued a sharp threat to Iran regarding the war in the Middle East, leading to renewed calls for the 25th Amendment from some commentators who questioned his judgment. The image featured distorted rendering, such as oddly rendered fingers, but the primary concern was its appearance on the President's verified account during a period of high geopolitical tension. While some users attributed the post to staff error or trolling, others viewed it as evidence of erratic behavior, though no formal medical assessment or official explanation from the White House has been provided.

Topics: Synthetic Image, Visual Impersonation

On May 17, 2026, Donald Trump shared an AI-generated image of himself walking with an alien on his Truth Social account. The image was posted shortly after the Department of War released UFO files on May 8, 2026. An online detection tool rated the photo as AI-generated, and the Hive Moderation AI-Generated Content Detection tool concluded the image was 98.8% likely to be AI-generated.

Topics: Synthetic Image, Image Manipulation

A fake image circulated online depicting actor Robert De Niro wearing an anti-Trump T-shirt and flipping off the camera in front of Trump Tower. De Niro's representative confirmed the photo was fake, and an online detection tool rated it as likely AI-generated. Visual analysis noted the text on the T-shirt lacked natural fabric distortion, indicating digital editing. No legitimate news reports were found about the photograph.

Topics: Synthetic Image, Visual Impersonation

On May 17, 2026, Donald Trump posted an AI-generated image on Truth Social depicting himself standing before a wall of US warships under dark clouds with lightning, captioned 'CALM BEFORE THE STORM.' The image was posted shortly after midnight amid reports of intensified US-Israel military preparations for potential conflict with Iran. The post sparked controversy, with critics accusing Trump of fearmongering and escalating tensions, while supporters viewed it as a projection of strength. The incident highlights a wider trend of US government departments and political figures using AI-generated or AI-styled imagery to communicate political messages.

Topics: Synthetic Image, Visual Impersonation

New Zealand Member of Parliament Laura McClure displayed an AI-generated nude image of herself during a parliamentary session to highlight the threat of deepfake technology. She stated the image was created in under five minutes using readily available online tools and described the experience as terrifying, noting the psychological impact even when knowing the image was fabricated. McClure shared the image on her Instagram account and advocated for legislative amendments to include deepfakes under existing laws that prohibit the non-consensual sharing of intimate images.

Topics: Deepfake, Synthetic Image

An AI-generated image falsely depicting victims of a raid in the Philippines as communist insurgents has been circulating online, misleading users in the aftermath of a deadly security operation. The incident follows a raid in April 2026 in which 19 people were killed at an alleged communist stronghold in the Philippines, an event that triggered widespread online posts and political commentary about insurgent activity in rural areas. Social media users shared a manipulated image showing a group of smiling individuals holding flags associated with the Communist Party of the Philippines and its armed wing, the New People’s Army, alongside claims that it showed participants linked to the raid. The original photographer told AFP that the image was taken months before the operation and unrelated to the incident, while analysts identified visual inconsistencies consistent with synthetic or AI-generated content.

Topics: Synthetic Image, Authenticity Harm

A fake image circulated on X on May 15, 2026, depicting President Donald Trump bowing to Chinese President Xi Jinping during a handshake at the Trump-Xi Summit in Beijing. The image was identified as digitally edited and AI-generated, evidenced by unnaturally blended fingers and a lack of credible news reports documenting the event. Fact-checkers confirmed that the handshake lasted about 15 seconds and was broadcast live, with no bowing occurring at any point.

Topics: Image Manipulation

A fake image depicting President Donald Trump, Elon Musk, and Jensen Huang raising their fists in front of a Chinese flag while swearing allegiance to the Chinese Communist Party was identified as false. The image, which mimicked a CCTV news bulletin, was posted on X by the @aintscarylarry account on May 14, 2026. Fact-checkers found no credible news reports or documentation supporting the claim, and the image displayed common signs of AI generation, including unnatural skin textures, poor blending at the neck, mismatched lighting, and distorted fingers and wrists.

Topics: Image Manipulation, Visual Impersonation

Adult content creators are facing nonconsensual use of their bodies in deepfake pornography, where their likenesses are used without permission to train AI models or create synthetic content. This practice, often involving face-swapping or AI-generated bodies, threatens the livelihoods and rights of performers by exploiting their work as training data and creating digital doubles that may engage in acts they did not consent to. Victims report significant psychological distress, including trauma and fear of financial exploitation, as their bodies are used in imagery that can be difficult to legally attribute or remove due to the lack of unique identifying markers.

Topics: Deepfake, Synthetic Image

In May 2026, an AI-generated image was shared on social media platforms including TikTok, Facebook, and Instagram, falsely depicting former Philippine Senate president Vicente Sotto III drinking with National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) agents. The image was used to support baseless claims that Sotto conspired with law enforcement to arrest Senator Ronald Dela Rosa, the chief enforcer of former President Rodrigo Duterte's drug war. Analysis by AFP using OpenAI's image verification tool confirmed the image was fabricated, citing an embedded SynthID watermark and visual errors such as distorted limbs and inconsistent facial features compared to Sotto's official photos.

Topics: Synthetic Image

On Tuesday, May 12, 2026, President Donald Trump shared an AI-generated image on his Truth Social platform depicting former President Joe Biden, former President Barack Obama, and House Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi bathing up to their necks in the Lincoln Memorial's Reflecting Pool filled with human waste. The post, captioned 'Dumacrats Love Sewage,' was part of a series of posts Trump shared criticizing opponents and referencing the ongoing renovation of the pool. The image was produced using artificial intelligence and featured visual manipulation of public figures in a defamatory and grotesque context.

Topics: Synthetic Image, Visual Impersonation

President Trump shared an AI-generated composite image on Truth Social depicting sunken Iranian warships while the administration awaited a response to a proposed peace plan. The post labeled the image as a composite and identified it as AI-generated, though it did not provide details on the imagery sources or creation method. The image included panels showing vessels with Iranian flags and labels referencing the Obama/Biden administrations.

Topics: Synthetic Image, Visual Impersonation

Mr Justice Brian Cregan, a judge in Ireland, requested the removal of an online video that displayed an artificial intelligence-generated image of himself. The video was posted by Patrick McGreal, a self-styled 'justice facilitator' and prolific litigant. Justice Cregan described the use of his likeness in the AI-generated clip as inappropriate.

Topics: Deepfake, Synthetic Image, Visual Impersonation

On May 8, 2026, actor Mark Hamill posted an AI-generated image to his Bluesky social media account depicting former US President Donald Trump in a shallow grave with the text 'If Only' overlaid. The White House responded by labeling Hamill a 'sick individual' and linking the post to a rise in political violence. Hamill subsequently apologized and removed the post, clarifying that he was not advocating for Trump's death but expressing a wish for him to live long enough to face accountability for alleged crimes.

Topics: Deepfake, Synthetic Image, Visual Impersonation

A manipulated image circulated online depicting Denver Broncos quarterback Bo Nix's legs was debunked as fake. The image was created by Photoshopping an existing photo of Alex Smith's legs from 2024 to make it appear as if it were Nix. Medical professionals confirmed that Nix underwent a routine ankle procedure, and the image was not a real photo of the quarterback.

Topics: Image Manipulation

In Datong, Shanxi Province, China, cyber police detained a local internet user named Xing for using an AI-generated image of Cheng Li-wun, the chairwoman of the Kuomintang (KMT), in livestream sales. The user created a digital avatar of Cheng without authorization to promote products during her recent mainland visit, which authorities stated disrupted online order and generated negative social impact. Xing was placed under administrative detention for illegally appropriating another person's identity for fraudulent purposes in violation of the Public Security Administrative Penalty Law.

Topics: Deepfake, Synthetic Image, Visual Impersonation

In Taunton, Massachusetts, Republican state representative candidate Larry Quintal posted an AI-modified image of his Democratic opponent, Lisa Field, on his campaign Facebook page. The image altered Field's expression from a smile to a scowl without a disclaimer, as part of a campaign graphic highlighting her missed votes. Field expressed disappointment, noting the manipulation aligns with the type of AI use upcoming Massachusetts legislation aims to prevent. The incident sparked debate over copyright fair use and the increasing prevalence of AI-generated images in political advertising.

Topics: Image Manipulation, Visual Impersonation

An AI-generated image was shared on social media falsely depicting a mother and son as victims of the Jabalpur boat tragedy that occurred on April 30, 2026. Fact-checking using reverse image search and AI-detection tools confirmed the image was 94.2 percent likely to be AI-generated, and the Collector of Jabalpur clarified that the image was unrelated to the actual incident.

Topics: Synthetic Image, Authenticity Harm

On April 25, 2026, social media posts falsely claimed that Saudi authorities had banned photography and videography at holy sites during the annual hajj pilgrimage. These posts were accompanied by an AI-generated image purportedly showing a sign about the ban. The image contained inconsistencies, including a watermark from Google's Gemini AI tool and text written in Urdu rather than Arabic, the official language of Saudi Arabia. While Saudi authorities have encouraged pilgrims to be considerate of fellow worshippers, they have not implemented a ban on photo or video taking at the Grand Mosque or other holy sites.

Topics: Synthetic Image, Authenticity Harm

Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni denounced the circulation of a deepfake image depicting her in bed wearing lingerie, which she shared on Facebook with a post from a user named Roberto. Meloni warned against sharing such unverified images on social media, noting that while the manipulation made her look better, it was used to attack and fabricate lies against her. She acknowledged the danger of deepfakes as tools that can deceive and target individuals, though it was not immediately clear if she would report the incident to law enforcement.

Topics: Deepfake

An AI-generated image depicting three young men in slippers and with uncovered heads at Sri Harmandir Sahib in Amritsar went viral on Instagram, sparking outrage for violating Sikh religious norms. The individual who posted the image removed it and apologized, claiming it was unintentional. The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee has launched an investigation into the image, with its legal advisor stating it will undergo technical examination to determine further action.

Topics: Synthetic Image, Authenticity Harm

Fact-checkers reported that an AI-generated image depicting a 'baby Trump' emerging from the Statue of Liberty did not originate from President Donald Trump's Truth Social account. Snopes identified the image as belonging to Instagram user adam.the.creator, noting a faint watermark and an upload date of April 29. Searches of Truth Social, X, and archived deleted posts found no evidence that the president posted the image, though other outlets like ABC News and indy100 noted a separate incident where Trump posted and deleted a different AI-generated image of himself in a Jesus-like robe.

Topics: Deepfake, Synthetic Image, Visual Impersonation

In May 2026, an AI-generated image depicting U.S. President Donald Trump as Jesus delivering a 'baby Trump' from the Statue of Liberty circulated on social media as an alleged screenshot from his Truth Social account. Fact-checkers verified that Trump did not post this specific image on any of his accounts, including Truth Social, X, or archives of deleted posts. The image contained a watermark from an Instagram user, adam.the.creator, who has a history of publishing similar fake AI-generated content. While Trump did share and delete a different AI-generated image of himself as a Christ-like figure in April 2026, the specific image in question was not posted by him.

Topics: Synthetic Image, Image Manipulation

An altered image depicting Australian Communications Minister Anika Wells wearing a gold Gucci suit and luxury accessories in parliament was circulated on social media platforms like Facebook and X. The image was created by cropping and modifying a genuine photo of Wells wearing a white suit, taken in October 2025. The manipulated image was shared in anti-Labor groups and posts to criticize the minister's travel expenses and family entitlements, drawing vitriol and accusations of waste against her and the Labor government. The minister's office confirmed the circulating image was fake, and a reverse image search traced the source to a critic's post and an ABC News article.

Topics: Image Manipulation, Visual Impersonation

An AI-generated image depicting Iranian troops guarding captured Israeli soldiers in the Strait of Hormuz was shared on social media platforms, particularly in Indonesia, without official confirmation of the event. The image contained visual inconsistencies such as distorted faces and unnatural bonds, indicating it was fabricated. Despite the lack of official reports confirming the capture of Israeli soldiers, the post garnered significant engagement and comments from users who appeared to believe the content was genuine.

Topics: Synthetic Image

An AI-generated image depicting former BJP MP Locket Chatterjee at a Trinamool Congress (TMC) office was shared on social media with a false claim that she was in contact with the party. Fact-checking using reverse image search, keyword searches, and AI detection tools (Hive Moderation and WasItAI) confirmed the image was generated by AI with over 99 percent likelihood. The incident involves the dissemination of a synthetic image to mislead viewers about Chatterjee's political affiliations and activities.

Topics: Synthetic Image, Visual Impersonation

On April 30, 2026, an AI-manipulated image of European Parliament member Alice Teodorescu Måwe was shared on Facebook in the group 'Sverige UT ur NATO – Lämna DCA avtalet !'. The image, created from a photo originally posted on Teodorescu Måwe's Instagram account in May 2024, depicts her wearing a scarf with the Israeli flag pattern. The manipulation was not immediately obvious to viewers, though minor AI generation artifacts were visible upon closer inspection, such as a distorted Star of David. The post received over 1,500 interactions on Facebook and also appeared on Twitter/X with less traction. Källkritikbyrån reported the incident and sought comment from Teodorescu Måwe and the Christian Democrats.

Topics: Synthetic Image, Visual Impersonation

US President Donald Trump shared an AI-generated image of himself holding an assault rifle on Truth Social, accompanied by a warning to Iran to 'get smart soon' regarding a non-nuclear deal. The image depicted Trump against a backdrop of missiles striking buildings as part of a broader geopolitical standoff between Washington and Tehran over the Strait of Hormuz.

Topics: Synthetic Image, Visual Impersonation

In the Basque Country, tensions escalated between the PNV and Socialist parties following the publication of an AI-generated image of nationalist leader Aitor Esteban jumping into a pool. The image was posted by the Socialist party (PSE-EE) as an ironic comment during negotiations over the Statute of Autonomy and Basque language requirements. The PNV condemned the image as unacceptable and announced the cancellation of a scheduled meeting with Socialist representatives.

Topics: Deepfake, Synthetic Image, Visual Impersonation

Moab police debunked an AI-generated image circulating online that appeared to show an ICE agent at a high school. The Moab City Police Department stated on social media that the image was created using artificial intelligence software and warned that such hoaxes can cause public alarm and become criminal. Officials confirmed that only local officers were present at Moab schools, with a school resource officer and district administrators also on site.

Topics: Synthetic Image, Visual Impersonation

Baltimore County Councilmember Julian Jones denounced a digitally altered image of him circulating on social media that portrayed him as antisemitic. The image was an AI-generated or manipulated depiction shared online, which the councilmember publicly criticized.

Topics: Synthetic Image

Rishikesh Police booked Rasik Maharaj for allegedly using artificial intelligence to create a fake photograph of himself with Vice President CP Radhakrishnan. The accused circulated the digitally altered image on Facebook and various news platforms to falsely demonstrate proximity to high-ranking officials during the AIIMS Rishikesh convocation ceremony held on April 23. Police confirmed the accused's name was not on the official guest list for the Vice President's event, and a case was registered under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the IT Act.

Topics: Synthetic Image, Visual Impersonation

On April 24, 2026, BanglaFact, the fact-checking wing of Press Institute Bangladesh, identified a fabricated photo card circulating on social media that falsely attributed a statement to Posts, Telecommunications and Information Technology Minister Fakir Mahbub Anam. The viral image claimed the minister said that recording and sharing incidents of extortion on social media would lead to swift punishment under cyber laws, but fact-checkers found the minister made no such remark. Instead, his original statement from a parliamentary session on April 21 regarding legal action against unauthorized video publication was distorted and taken out of context to create misinformation.

Topics: Image Manipulation, Visual Impersonation

Baltimore County Councilmember Julian Jones denounced a digitally altered image of him circulating on social media that depicted him with a Hitler-like moustache, raising his arm in a 'Heil Hitler' salute, and wearing a keffiyeh in the style of Yasser Arafat. Jones, a Democrat running for Baltimore County Executive, described the image as a highly offensive meme used to attack his campaign and exploit fears within the Jewish community. He called on fellow candidates to denounce the tactics used against him and expressed hope that the creator would feel shame and not repeat the behavior. The incident involved the use of AI tools to create a deceptive image for political harassment purposes.

Topics: Synthetic Image, Visual Impersonation

A social media news creator shared an AI-generated image depicting body bags being loaded into an ambulance at the scene of a triple homicide in Hastings, New Zealand. The image, posted by a page called Australia/NZ Crime TV, included an AI-generated error where the word 'ambulance' was misspelled on a vehicle in the background. NetSafe and New Zealand Police issued warnings about the harm caused by such fabricated crime scene imagery, which can blur the line between reality and fiction, fuel confusion, and distress communities already dealing with trauma. The creator stated their intent was not to cause distress and that they were reviewing their use of AI to ensure content remained respectful. Police noted that existing laws apply to misleading or harmful content, but there is no specific law targeting AI-generated images, urging the public to verify accuracy before sharing.

Topics: Synthetic Image

South Korean police arrested a man in his 40s on April 23 for distributing an AI-generated image of a wolf that had escaped from a zoo in Daejeon. The fabricated image, created using generative artificial intelligence, was shared by the city government and major media outlets, causing a frantic search that delayed the wolf's recapture by nine days. The arrested man admitted to the charges, stating he created and shared the image for fun, and was charged with obstructing official duties by deception.

Topics: Synthetic Image

Police in Bangladesh arrested a 24-year-old college student, Shakil Ahmed, for allegedly creating and sharing an offensive AI-generated image of Zaima Rahman on social media. The detainee, a third-year student at Tejgaon College in Dhaka, posted the manipulated image from his personal Facebook account on Tuesday, accompanied by derogatory remarks targeting Prime Minister Tarique Rahman. The post went viral, sparking anger among local BNP leaders and activists, prompting authorities to launch a drive and detain the suspect. Police confirmed the authenticity of the post, and preparations are underway to file a case against Shakil under the Information and Communication Technology Act.

Topics: Deepfake, Synthetic Image, Visual Impersonation

A social media user named Shirish on X shared a hyper-realistic AI-generated image of a UCO Bank cheque for ₹69,000, claiming it was created using OpenAI's ChatGPT Images 2.0 model. The image displayed authentic-looking bank details, signatures, and MICR bands, sparking widespread alarm and discussions about the potential for fraud and the reliability of AI-generated visual content. LiveMint reported that the model can now accurately render text and generate working QR codes, raising concerns about the creation of convincing fake documents such as cheques, identity cards, and official forms.

Topics: Synthetic Image

Baltimore City Inspector General Isabel Cumming shared a social media post featuring an A.I.-generated image of Mayor Brandon Scott, depicting him surrounded by money and smoking a cigar. The Mayor's Office Chief of Staff, J.D. Merrill, criticized the post as politically charged, misleading, and inappropriate, requesting a review of Cumming's conduct. Cumming responded that she shared a link to third-party video commentary on her personal Facebook account, did not endorse the satirical A.I.-generated image, and removed the post upon receiving feedback.

Topics: Synthetic Image, Visual Impersonation, Authenticity Harm

A 49-year-old man from Coral Springs, Florida, was arrested by the Palm Beach Sheriff's Office for allegedly creating and sending a nude AI-generated image of a 17-year-old coworker at Boca West Country Club. The victim, who worked in the fitness department, reported that the suspect obtained her Instagram account, made sexual comments, and sent her an AI-edited screenshot from one of her TikTok videos that depicted her fully nude. The suspect allegedly threatened to expose her if she did not resume communication and sent additional messages expressing affection and offering money. Investigators reviewed Zelle records showing financial transactions and messages indicating grooming of a minor, and the suspect was booked into jail with a bond set at $75,000.

Topics: Deepfake, Synthetic Image

The Chaffee County Sheriff's Office in Colorado used artificial intelligence to generate an image of Kaden Sites, a 27-year-old missing hunter, to assist in his search. The AI-generated image depicted Sites wearing a gray hoodie and carrying a rifle and binocular pack, based on descriptions provided by the public. The department obtained permission from Sites' family before releasing the image to search teams and online, marking the first time the agency used AI for law enforcement purposes. Sheriff Andy Rohrich stated the technology was used to train searchers and the public on Sites' clothing and possessions, though he noted ethical limits on using AI in criminal investigations or with evidence.

Topics: Synthetic Image

A Facebook post by the account @T.bigpicture shared an AI-generated image depicting Donald Trump without visible damage to his ear following the July 13, 2024 assassination attempt in Butler, Pennsylvania. The post claimed the White House had rejected allegations that the event was staged, using the manipulated image to support this assertion. Fact-checkers identified the image as AI-generated, noting that legitimate news reports and photos from Getty Images from the same day showed Trump with blood on his ear and face. Additionally, the car door in the image was bent in an impossible way, and an AI detection tool rated the image as 100% likely to be AI-generated.

Topics: Synthetic Image, Image Manipulation

A photoshopped image of Lebanese actress Ghina Ghandour circulated on social media, where users used it to mock her appearance and focus on signs of aging. Ghandour responded by reposting the edited image on her own account and speaking out against using aging as an insult, emphasizing that growing older is a natural part of life. Following her post, many users expressed support for her stance against online bullying and for promoting a more respectful attitude toward aging and appearance.

Topics: Image Manipulation, Visual Impersonation

The Jasper County Sheriff's Office in Texas is investigating an AI-generated explicit image depicting a student from the Buna Independent School District. The image was reported circulating on social media, and the sheriff's office Criminal Investigations Division began speaking with staff and students at Buna High School. Investigators have not yet identified suspects but are preparing legal documents to seek information from social media platforms and digital records.

Topics: Deepfake, Synthetic Image

Thomas Christopher Ball, a 49-year-old man from Broward County, Florida, faced felony charges after investigators determined he used artificial intelligence to create an explicit image of a teenage coworker at Boca West Country Club in Boca Raton. Ball allegedly followed the teen on social media, sent inappropriate messages, and after she distanced herself at work, he continued contacting her online. He sent an AI-generated explicit photo of her nude, which was created from older images of her when she was younger, and threatened to expose her if she ignored him. A friend of Ball later called 911, reporting that he allegedly came to her home looking for a firearm to shoot the girl who got him fired. Ball was arrested and faces three felony charges, including altered sexual depictions of an identifiable person, sending harmful material to a minor, and unlawful use of a two-way communications device.

Topics: Deepfake, Synthetic Image

Richard Tice, deputy leader of the Reform party, shared a photo on social media depicting campaigners on the campaign trail in Birmingham. Analysis by Peryton Intelligence, a digital intelligence company, found the image was almost certainly manipulated using AI, citing anomalies such as extra fingers on a campaigner's hands, smeared facial features, and inconsistencies in text and background elements. While Tice claimed the photo showed increased support for Reform in the area, the Reform party denied the campaigners were fake, stating the image was real but slightly edited using AI to increase brightness.

Topics: Synthetic Image, Image Manipulation

A fake photo card featuring State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Anindya Islam Amit was circulated on Facebook, falsely claiming he visited 10 petrol pumps and that there was no fuel shortage. A General Diary was filed at Ramna Model Police Station by the minister's private secretary, alleging intentional misinformation to tarnish the minister's image and the country's energy sector. The investigation noted the minister had actually been working on energy crisis issues and had returned to Dhaka after inspecting infrastructure in Chattogram and Matarbari.

Topics: Image Manipulation, Visual Impersonation

On April 20, 2026, a gunman identified as 27-year-old Julio Cesar Jasso of Mexico opened fire on tourists at the Pyramid of the Moon at the Teotihuacán archaeological site in Mexico, wounding 13 people and killing one Canadian. Authorities confirmed that an AI-generated image found at the scene depicted Jasso posing with Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold, the perpetrators of the 1999 Columbine school shooting. The image appeared alongside other items found at the site, including pictures of Jasso performing a Nazi salute, a gun, and a knife. The incident occurred on the 27th anniversary of the Columbine shooting, and Jasso later died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

Topics: Deepfake, Synthetic Image, Visual Impersonation

In Australia, a 19-year-old named William Hamish Yeates pleaded guilty to creating and distributing deepfake pornography, marking the first prosecution under new national laws targeting non-consensual sexual image manipulation. The charges, which could carry up to seven years in prison, included creating or manipulating sexual material without consent, distributing it, and using online services in a harassing manner. The images were shared across multiple social media accounts without the victim's permission.

Topics: Deepfake

Satirical panel show Have I Got News For You mocked an AI-generated image of Donald Trump depicting himself as Jesus. The image was shared by Trump, who later claimed it was intended to show him as a doctor, a clarification that prompted further jokes from the panel. Ian Hislop noted the image closely resembled William Holman Hunt's famous painting The Light of the World.

Topics: Deepfake, Synthetic Image, Visual Impersonation

President Donald Trump posted an AI-generated image on his Truth Social account depicting himself in white robes and a red sash, resembling traditional depictions of Jesus Christ, while healing a sick man. The post drew outrage from religious leaders and conservatives, leading Trump to delete the image after roughly half a day. Trump later claimed the image was intended to show him as a 'doctor' or 'Red Cross worker,' but the visual elements were widely interpreted as portraying him as a Jesus-like healer.

Topics: Synthetic Image, Visual Impersonation, Deceptive Social Media Filters

In April 2026, an AI-generated image depicting a helicopter crash in Eldama Ravine, Baringo county, Kenya, circulated on social media with a false caption claiming six occupants, including high-ranking officials, had perished. The image was posted on April 16, 2026, but fact-checkers identified it as fabricated using artificial intelligence tools. The registration number '5Y-DSB' on the helicopter in the image matched the aircraft involved in a fatal crash that occurred in February 2026, which killed lawmaker Johana Ng'eno and five others. Additionally, the security uniforms and the appearance of the burning wreckage in the image were inconsistent with known details from the February incident and standard Kenyan police attire. Africa Check confirmed that no second crash occurred on April 16, 2026, and the image was originally published as early as March 2, 2026, labeled as AI-generated in an article about the February crash.

Topics: Synthetic Image, Authenticity Harm

President Donald Trump faced criticism from conservative Christian activists after an AI-generated image depicting him dressed as Jesus healing a man was published. Trump defended the image, stating it was not intended as a depiction of Jesus but rather to portray himself as a doctor who helps people feel better. The image, which showed Trump in a white shirt and red robe with his hand over a sick man's forehead, was removed from social media on Monday after being online for a day.

Topics: Synthetic Image, Visual Impersonation

President Donald Trump posted an AI-generated image depicting himself as Jesus, which drew scrutiny from political allies. The image showed him in a white and red robe with golden light, touching the head of a sick man, evoking classic Christian imagery. Trump later claimed the photo depicted him as a 'doctor' and deleted it. He subsequently participated in an America Reads the Bible event, reading a passage from the Old Testament.

Topics: Synthetic Image, Visual Impersonation

US President Donald Trump faced controversy after posting an AI-generated image on Truth Social depicting himself in a Jesus-like role, which he later deleted. The image showed Trump in a white robe with his hand on a man's head in a healing gesture, set against symbolic background imagery. Critics, including some of his own supporters, deemed the post inappropriate and offensive, while Trump insisted it portrayed him as a doctor. The incident occurred amid ongoing tensions with Pope Leo XIV, following Trump's public attacks on the Pope.

Topics: Synthetic Image, Visual Impersonation

USAs president Donald Trump publiserte et KI-generert bilde av seg selv som en Jesus-lignende skikkelse på en sosial medieplattform. Innlegget ble slettet etter kritikk fra flere støttespillere, som beskrev handlingen som grov blasfemi. Trump hevdet senere at han trodde KI-verktøyet framstilte ham som en lege.

Topics: Synthetic Image, Visual Impersonation

A Deltona couple received a phone call claiming their missing beagle mix, Archer, had been hit by a car and required emergency surgery. The caller sent a photo of the dog appearing to be on an operating table and requested $2,746 for the procedure via Zelle. The couple investigated the caller's claims and realized the details were inconsistent, such as the caller not knowing specific medical details about the dog's injury. They refused to pay and confirmed their suspicions when they called back, realizing it was a scam. The dog was later found by a neighbor and returned home in poor condition. Law enforcement is investigating the incident.

Topics: Image Manipulation

A 37-year-old man from Ohio, James Strahler II, became the first person convicted under the Take It Down Act for creating and distributing thousands of non-consensual intimate images generated using artificial intelligence. He used over 100 different AI tools to superimpose victims' faces onto pornographic material, targeting women and children. Despite being arrested, he continued his activities while awaiting trial, leading the FBI to discover additional material during a later search of his property.

Topics: Synthetic Image, Deepfake

In April 2026, social media posts shared a manipulated image of Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos to falsely accuse a major broadcaster of concealing his ill health. The altered image, originally taken by GMA News in April 2026, was edited to add a 2024 date and circulate alongside claims that the broadcaster was hiding the president's condition. GMA News clarified that the image was manipulated to reflect an incorrect meeting date and that the blurred version was standard protocol before being replaced by a clear image showing the correct date.

Topics: Image Manipulation

On April 5, 2026, a post circulated in Ethiopia on the Afaan Oromoo platform falsely claimed that over 570 Russian troops had arrived in Tehran to support Iran's ground operations. The post included two images: one depicting soldiers with Russian and Chechen flags, and another showing a military convoy. AFP Fact Check determined the claim was false, identifying one image as AI-generated and the other as an old photo from 2022 taken in Chechnya, unrelated to the Middle East conflict.

Topics: Deepfake, Synthetic Image, Image Manipulation, Visual Impersonation

Et israelsk luftangrep traff en bil med tre journalister i Sør-Libanon, hvorav alle ble drept. Det israelske militæret (IDF) publiserte et bilde av den drepte journalisten Ali Shoeib i militæruniform på X, men innrømmet senere at bildet var redigert i Photoshop etter å ha blitt utfordret om kilden. VG har stilt flere oppfølgingsspørsmål til IDF, men henvendelsen er per nå ikke besvart.

Topics: Image Manipulation, Visual Impersonation

Collien Fernandes, a 44-year-old actress and media personality based in Berlin, reported that her ex-husband, actor Christian Ulmen, secretly engaged in online sexual misconduct against her for approximately ten years. The alleged behavior included the creation and distribution of deepfake pornography, fake social media accounts posting nude images, and the use of her identity for sexual conversations and fantasies. Fernandes publicly accused Ulmen in December 2024, following a documentary she participated in about the issue. Ulmen denies spreading deepfake content, claiming the material involved porn actors resembling her or images of female bodies without visible faces. Fernandes is seeking legal resolution in Spain due to stronger protections for victims of online violence there, after the couple separated last year.

Topics: Deepfake

Falske, KI-genererte bilder og videoer av prinsesse Elisabeth av Belgia har sirkulert på sosiale medier, inkludert en Facebook-profil som utgir seg for å være prinsessen. Bildene viser henne i intime eller usannsynlige situasjoner, som dansende i en fengselscelle, og har skapt oppstuss i Belgia. Det belgiske kongehuset har uttalt at de tar grep for å fjerne innholdet, men det er ikke kjent hvilke spesifikke tiltak som er iverksatt. Prinsesse Elisabeth har tidligere blitt utsatt for lignende KI-genererte bilder.

Topics: Deepfake

Belgian social media platforms have been flooded with dozens of AI-generated deepfake videos depicting Princess Elisabeth in various scenarios, including dancing in a prison cell and giving kisses. These videos, which fall under the deepfake category where a celebrity's face is used in false content, often of an intimate nature, have caused significant public concern in Belgium. The Belgian royal palace has confirmed awareness of the false images and is taking necessary steps to have them removed as quickly as possible. A Facebook profile impersonating the princess with nearly 30,000 followers has been identified as a primary source, publishing numerous images of the Belgian royals in recent weeks. Princess Elisabeth has previously been subjected to similar incidents, including a false image from last year that suggested a romance with Prince George of Liechtenstein, which was later debunked as AI-generated.

Topics: Deepfake, Visual Impersonation

Israel's military posted a post on X on Saturday following the killing of three journalists in Lebanon, accusing one of them, Ali Hassan Shaib, of being part of a Hezbollah armed wing. The post included an image combining two photos of Shaib, one showing him in military uniform, which Israel later admitted was fake and photoshopped. The military stated in a written comment to Fox News that no such photo actually existed.

Topics: Image Manipulation, Visual Impersonation

The Belgian royal house has taken measures to remove false AI-generated images and videos of Crown Princess Elisabeth. A false Facebook profile, which claimed to be the Belgian princess, circulated numerous manipulated videos and images, including depictions of the princess dancing in revealing clothing and giving a kiss to the camera. The profile also generated content featuring other members of the royal family. Despite being false, the content received hundreds of likes and comments. The Belgian royal house confirmed awareness of the false account and stated it has taken necessary steps to remove the content as soon as possible.

Topics: Deepfake, Visual Impersonation

On March 28, 2026, the Israeli military published an image depicting Lebanese journalist Ali Shoeib wearing a Hezbollah uniform to justify an airstrike that killed him and two other journalists. The image was later admitted by the Israeli military to be photoshopped, with spokesperson Lieutenant-Colonel Nadav Shoshani describing it as a 'digital illustration' that combined an authentic photo with an edited part. The Foreign Press Association criticized the military for discrediting Shoeib by releasing inaccurate information and allegations without clear evidence.

Topics: Image Manipulation

Tysk skuespiller Collien Fernandes anklager sin eksmann, Christian Ulmen, for å ha spredt falske nakenbilder og deepfake-videoer av henne på nettet. Fernandes hevder at Ulmen brukte kunstig intelligens til å lage innholdet og utgitt seg for å være henne i flere år. Saken har utløst store demonstrasjoner i Tyskland og press på regjeringen for strengere lover mot digital vold mot kvinner. Fernandes har valgt å anmelde saken i Spania, hvor paret tidligere bodde, og der etterforskes saken for ærekrenkelser og trusler.

Topics: Deepfake

On February 6, 2026, an AI-generated image depicting Swedish Social Democratic Party leader Magdalena Andersson and financier Jeffrey Epstein was shared in a Facebook group with over 150,000 members. The image was posted by an anonymous group member and sparked discussion among members about its authenticity, with some believing it to be real while others identified it as a fake. Magdalena Andersson's press secretary confirmed the image was AI-generated and false, noting that Andersson had never met Epstein. Visual analysis suggested the image was AI-generated due to inconsistencies in the hand holding a glass, and the image did not appear in online searches.

Topics: Deepfake, Synthetic Image, Visual Impersonation

The provided source material indicates that Norway has criminalized AI-generated abuse material, but the article text is inaccessible behind a paywall and contains no specific details about the incident, affected individuals, platform, or date. Consequently, the specific incident details are unknown.

Topics: Deepfake, Synthetic Image

Donald Trump posted manipulated images on Truth Social following a phone call with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte. The images depicted Greenland and Canada as part of the United States. The post was published on Aftenposten on 2026-01-20.

Topics: Image Manipulation, Visual Impersonation

Donald Trump publicerade AI-genererade bilder på sociala medier där han placerade den amerikanska flaggan på Grönland och tillsammans med världsledare framför en karta som markerade Kanada, Grönland och Venezuela som delar av USA. Bilderna innehöll text som påstod att Grönland var amerikanskt territorium sedan 2026. Publiceringen skedde på Truth Social i samband med Trumps avresa till Världsekonomiskt forum i Davos, där han uttryckt hopp om ett avtal om Grönland.

Topics: Synthetic Image, Visual Impersonation

Aftenposten published a debate article by an individual claiming to be Kutz Schmeiner, a Jewish businessman, which was later withdrawn after concerns arose regarding the author's identity. The article's byline image was identified as a manipulated photo of Mike Pompeo from the film 'Route 60: The Biblical Highway', while the author's Facebook profile picture was a manipulated image of Norwegian runner Runar B. Gundersen. The newspaper stated that recent information, primarily based on the image manipulation, led them to believe they had been deceived by the sender who had allegedly built a false online identity over several years.

Topics: Visual Impersonation, Digital Identity Abuse

Aftenposten published a reader contribution from an individual identified as Kutz Schmeiner, an Israeli businessperson, supporting a previous post by Asle Toje. The post was removed after a Reddit user discovered that Schmeiner does not exist and that several images on his social media profile were manipulated using artificial intelligence. Specifically, one image sourced from Trønder-Avisa had a face swapped with Schmeiner's likeness. Aftenposten confirmed the account was fake and stated they would review their verification routines after the incident.

Topics: Image Manipulation

A footballer named Elliott Patrick used an AI-generated image of his friend James Smith's driving licence to apply for a £300 loan from a company. Patrick admitted to fraud by false representation at Great Yarmouth Magistrates' Court, where he pleaded guilty to the charge. The loan was repaid by Patrick, and the victim, Mr Smith, reported feeling upset by the breach of trust. Patrick was fined £415 and ordered to pay additional costs.

Topics: Deepfake, Synthetic Image, Digital Identity Abuse

Tokina, a camera lens manufacturer, cancelled the first prize in its 2025 annual photography competition after a Reddit community accused the winning image of being AI-generated. The company announced it would replace the winner's work with a photograph by Lee Nuttall and promised to review its judging process. The controversy centered on a winning image showing fishermen pulling in nets at sunset, which contained a SynthID watermark indicating it was created or significantly edited using Google's AI tools. While some users suggested the watermark might be added automatically for routine edits, others noted a video of the same scene filmed by the photographer showed a different time of day, suggesting AI was used to replace the sky. Tokina stated the winning entry was disqualified for violating competition rules and expressed regret over the incident.

Topics: Synthetic Image

Scammers are using artificial intelligence to create deepfake videos of Swedish politician Ebba Busch (KD) to deceive people into investing in natural gas projects. The AI-generated video depicts Busch speaking about a government initiative where Swedes can invest in natural gas to earn money risk-free and easily. Experts warn that such technology allows fraudsters to impersonate public figures and potentially target individuals they know in the future.

Topics: Deepfake, Visual Impersonation

In New Zealand, a 21-year-old man received a 24-month intensive supervision sentence for creating and sharing deepfake pornographic images, marking the first prosecution of its kind in the country. The offending occurred between June and October 2024 and involved four young women, with one victim, Summer Murphy, allowing her name to be published. The offender manipulated hundreds of photos taken from the victims' social media accounts, using apps to remove clothing and create explicit images that were shared widely online and posted on international pornography sites. One image depicted the victim's father with his daughter in a naked state, causing significant distress and panic attacks for the victim. The man was charged under the Harmful Digital Communications Act, 2015, with intent to cause harm being a key element proven through a confession obtained by the victim's father.

Topics: Deepfake

In June 2010, a 37-year-old Utah woman named Danette Stark faced child pornography-related charges after allegedly creating and distributing flyers depicting a 13-year-old girl engaged in bestiality. According to a criminal complaint, Stark digitally superimposed the face of a female student onto an explicit image of a naked adult woman having sex with a dog found on the Internet. The flyers were distributed around the girl's middle school, with one discovered in a bathroom by a custodian in late May. The Salt Lake District Attorney described the production and distribution of the flyer as heinous, though no motive was offered. Stark was booked into a Salt Lake County jail, and her lawyer advised her not to make comments due to the delicate nature of the case involving a juvenile.

Topics: Image Manipulation