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A YouTube creator who utilized artificial intelligence to produce and spread fake videos, including explicit material, has been taken into custody. The Gyeonggi Bukbu Provincial Police Department announced on the 2nd that they had arrested and submitted Mr. A, in his 30s, for alleged violations of the Telecommunications Basic Act, the Capital Markets Act, and the Information and Communications Network Act.

As per the police, Mr. A is under suspicion for creating counterfeit videos utilizing Chat GPT and similar technologies starting from August of the previous year, which he then uploaded to his YouTube channel titled “Patrol 24 Hours,” aiming to circulate them. At first, he produced material centered around news subjects that sparked social controversy. Subsequently, he modified video scenarios and chose the most effective versions based on perspectives and situations.

He is said to have created videos that were controversial and designed to draw public attention, with the goal of boosting views and subscriptions to earn advertising income. Certain videos incorrectly showed police handling 112 emergency calls and using excessive force. These videos, shot from a “bodycam” viewpoint, featured scenes like police using electric shock weapons on Chinese citizens or applying undue force during internet live streams. Significantly, the fabricated police response videos resulted in real complaints being submitted to the National Police Agency regarding excessive suppression.

In total, Mr. A produced 54 fabricated videos, which were uploaded to social media sites such as YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok. Certain videos received more than 10 million views individually.

Furthermore, from September of the previous year until last month, Mr. A managed a paid international subscription-based social media channel utilizing artificial intelligence, creating and selling explicit content 41 times. The explicit videos included fictional characters, not actual people. Law enforcement is currently examining the precise earnings generated from these fabricated explicit videos.

In addition to this case, Mr. A was engaged in managing an unregistered private futures trading platform and overseas futures investment “guidance rooms.” He utilized artificial intelligence to generate misleading profit predictions for firms and shared them within the groups, causing financial losses to participants.

He also took on business advertising requests, charging 10,000 South Korean won for each YouTube thumbnail and 200,000 South Korean won for fake videos. Using these tactics, he is confirmed to have made illegal earnings totaling 30 million South Korean won. The precise number of victims and collaborators involved in the investment groups is still being investigated.

Even though Mr. A was not employed in a field related to artificial intelligence, he possessed some IT expertise and enhanced his AI abilities while producing counterfeit videos. It is said that he utilized the illicit funds for his daily expenses.

A law enforcement representative said, “Although the videos did not generate income directly, they might be seen as authentic by audiences, resulting in them being labeled as false material,” and added, “Inquiries are currently underway to find out if any individuals were harmed by the fabricated videos.”