AI-Generated Nude Images Used in Extortion Scam Against Wichita Resident
A Wichita resident reportedly received AI-generated nude images of himself in an extortion attempt, with threats to share them with his contacts unless he paid money. The victim filed a police report; the police department said it had not previously encountered this type of scam.
What happened
Neal Zoglmann, a Wichita resident, received text messages containing AI-generated nude images purporting to show him in his home. The images included his face but were otherwise fake, showing him in his bathroom, kitchen and living room without clothes.
The messages included screenshots of Zoglmann's Facebook profile, friend list, and family members' profiles, accompanied by demands for money in exchange for not sending the images to those contacts.
Reported impact
Zoglmann expressed concern that the images, if shared, could damage his relationships and career, despite knowing they were fake. He filed a police report regarding the incident and blocked the numbers after no further messages were received.
Index analysis
The Wichita Police Department stated it had not previously encountered this type of scam. Police attributed the vulnerability to social media use, noting that criminals can screenshot and repurpose publicly posted photos to create fake content.
Classification
Sources and evidence
This record was researched and written by the Index, based on the following original reporting.