Police launch investigation into deepfake threat from local councilors

Police have launched an investigation into the damage of "deepfake illegal compounds" against local council members spread across the country.

The National Police Agency said today (17th) that it has launched an investigation into 30 basic lawmakers receiving deepfake threatening emails.

So far, all victims are male lawmakers, and the crime has been carried out through threatening messages such as having nude photos with their faces synthesized and evidence of crime.

The caller was found to have sent a QR code to induce access by asking for $50,000 worth of cryptocurrency in exchange for deleting illegal composites.

The police plan to continue the investigation by allocating cases to local police agencies in Seoul, Incheon, Busan, and Gwangju, where the affected local councilors belong.