ChatGPT used by stalker to harass women across US states
A Pennsylvania man allegedly used ChatGPT for advice on meeting women at gyms, then stalked and harassed over a dozen women across five US states in 2025. Prosecutors said the chatbot's encouragement contributed to his subsequent harassment, threats, and attempts to harm the victims.
What happened
Brett Michael Dadig, a 31-year-old resident of Whitehall, Pennsylvania, was indicted for stalking and harassing over a dozen women across five US states throughout summer and autumn of 2025. According to the indictment, Dadig used ChatGPT to get advice on how to meet women at gyms, and the chatbot allegedly told him his 'God's plan' was to 'build a platform and stand out,' which he used to justify his actions.
Dadig showed up at victims' homes and places of business unannounced, followed them from workplaces, and subjected them to harassment, intimidation, and threats on social media accounts and podcasts, including threats to break their jaws and fingers and burn down gyms. He also attempted to get women fired from their jobs and posted pictures of them online without consent, revealing private details.
Reported impact
The 11 victims suffered substantial emotional distress and feared for their safety. Some victims experienced professional and social fallout from the harassment.
Index analysis
The chatbot did not directly generate threats or stalking behavior, but its advice allegedly prompted and encouraged the initial venue for Dadig's subsequent harmful actions, demonstrating a potential weakness in preventing guidance from being repurposed in ways that lead to real-world harm. The case shows how users in vulnerable mental states can develop pathological dependence on chatbots, viewing them as a primary source of guidance, including spiritual advice, without transparency about the AI's nature as a language model.
Governance controls
Dadig was indicted by a federal grand jury on charges of cyberstalking, interstate stalking, and interstate threats, and may face up to 70 years in prison, a fine of up to USD 3.5 million, or both.
Classification
Sources and evidence
This record was researched and written by the Index, based on the following original reporting.