AI-generated hoax image of ghostly figure causes public panic in Denpasar
An AI-generated image of a supernatural figure caused public alarm in Denpasar, Indonesia in May 2026 after spreading across social media. Police confirmed the image was a digital fabrication created with AI technology and appealed to the public not to panic.
What happened
A viral image purporting to show a ghostly pocong figure (a wrapped corpse from Indonesian folklore) in the Monang Maning area of Denpasar Barat circulated on social media on 30 May 2026.
Polresta Denpasar confirmed on 1 June 2026 that the image was a digital fabrication created using AI technology and not a real sighting.
Three juvenile witnesses, identified as N, D, and B, were interviewed. Witness N shared the image on Instagram as a warning, which caused it to spread rapidly across multiple social media platforms.
Reported impact
The hoax caused public panic and distress in the community.
Police issued an appeal urging the public not to panic, stating the image was purely digital manipulation.
Governance controls
Police conducted an investigation into the viral image and interviewed the juvenile witnesses involved in its spread.
Classification
Sources and evidence
Sources not yet published
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