Multiple individuals arrested for creating and distributing deepfakes of female celebrities, including idols.

23 Arrested, 13 Indicted,

[Uijeongbu=Newsis] Reporter Kim Do-hee: On the morning of the 11th, Cyber Investigation Unit 2 Chief Kim Jung-hyun is conducting a briefing related to Telegram deepfake crimes at the Gyeonggi Northern Provincial Police Agency press room. 2025.04.11 [email protected], ‘The operators and participants of a Telegram room that exploited deepfake technology (AI-based human image synthesis) to create and distribute fabricated sexual videos targeting female idol groups have been massively apprehended by the police.’,
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, ‘The Gyeonggi Northern Provincial Police Agency’s Cyber Crime Investigation Unit 2 announced on the 11th that they have apprehended a total of 23 individuals, including operators A and B in their 30s, for violations related to the Act on Special Cases Concerning the Punishment of Sexual Crimes. Of these, 13 have been indicted.’,
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, ‘About 60 members who participated in the deepfake Telegram room operated by these individuals were also arrested.’,
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, ‘A is accused of setting up a Telegram room named after a particular female idol group they admire, from August 2023 to March of this year, and producing and distributing over 1,100 fabricated sexual videos targeting the idols and famous female celebrities.’,
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, ‘A operated it privately, composed exclusively of fervent fans who liked the idol, reaching a maximum membership of about 140.’,
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, ‘Members also created and shared fabricated sexual videos, mocking the idols sexually. Some members even visited fan signing events to take obscene photos using life-sized cutouts of celebrities and uploaded proof photos.’,
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, ‘Notably, there was evidence that they obtained the personal phone numbers actually used by idol group members.’,
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, ‘Another Telegram deepfake room operator, B, is accused of producing and distributing over 150 fabricated sexual videos of famous celebrities from September to December last year.’,
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, ‘In B’s Telegram room, they shared synthesized videos involving celebrities and BJs targeting more than 70 victims, with the maximum membership reaching about 360.’,
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, ‘It was investigated that B also used deep voice technology to edit and distribute content that made it appear as if celebrities were making obscene statements.’,
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[Graphic=Newsis] Resale and DB prohibited. [email protected], ‘In B’s room, fabricated sexual videos involving acquaintances and ordinary people were also shared, and notably, a 20-year-old member, C, made and distributed about 300 illegal videos of middle school classmates.’,
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, ‘Additionally, more than 90% of the suspects were in their teens or twenties and did not have particular occupations.’,
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, ‘In police investigations, suspects claimed that they continued their crimes as they were called “writers” in the deepfake room, enjoyed being in control, and sought recognition through responses to their productions.’,
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, ‘They continued their crimes in the Telegram room while sharing techniques to evade tracking by investigative agencies, believing they were untouchable.’,
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, ‘The Gyeonggi Northern Provincial Police Agency utilized undercover investigations and international cooperation with the National Investigation Headquarters as part of their “Intensive Crackdown on Deepfake Sex Crimes” from August 28 last year to March of this year to apprehend the suspects.’,
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, ‘They carried out victim protection measures, including video deletion/blocking and appointing public defenders, in collaboration with the Center for Digital Sex Crime Assistance, affiliated with the Korea Women’s Human Rights Institute.’,
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, ‘A police official stated, “We will continue to track and apprehend participants in the Telegram room operated by these suspects” and “We will do our utmost to eradicate digital sex crimes that destroy victims’ daily lives.”‘,
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