Source : Perth Now news
A man has been charged after an AI-generated picture of a crocodile sent Singapore authorities scrambling for a reptile that did not exist.
Ye Lin, a 30-year-old Myanmar national, allegedly created the fake image and sent it to a colleague on August 20, showing what appeared to be a crocodile lurking at Pandan Reservoir, a popular spot for water activities.
The report was taken seriously, with national water agency PUB and the National Parks Board deploying resources to search for the supposed predator.
Water activities at the reservoir were also suspended, while members of the public were warned to exercise caution.
However, the hunt came to an abrupt end when authorities established that the photograph was fake and PUB filed a police report.
Police allege that Ye subsequently deleted the AI-generated images and the history from the Gemini AI application on his phone in an attempt to conceal what he had done.
He has been charged with communicating a false message and obstructing the course of justice.
Ye told a court, through an interpreter, that he intended to plead guilty and would not engage a lawyer.
He is due back in court in November.
The charge of communicating a false message carries a possible jail term of up to three years, a fine of up to S$10,000 (£5,800), or both.
Obstructing the course of justice carries a maximum sentence of seven years in prison, a fine, or both.
Singapore Police warned that fabricated images can cause public alarm and unnecessarily divert resources.
The force said: “The Police urge the public to act responsibly and refrain from circulating false information or edited images that could cause unnecessary public alarm.”
It added: “The public should also not submit fabricated or manipulated information, including AI-generated or digitally altered images, to the Police or other Government agencies while presenting such information as authentic.”
The fake sighting comes amid genuine crocodile reports in Singapore waters, making the authorities’ initial response particularly serious.
Water activities at Pandan Reservoir resumed after the photograph was confirmed to be fake.
