Nail salon fraud attempt using AI-generated fake injury photos in South Korea
A 20-year-old Turkish national in South Korea allegedly used ChatGPT to create fake photos showing nail salon injury complications and a forged medical certificate to demand approximately 400,000 won in refunds and treatment fees. The salon rejected the claim and police later referred the suspect to prosecutors on fraud attempt and business obstruction charges.
What happened
On 26 December 2025, a 20-year-old Turkish national received nail art services at a salon in Sungsan-gu, Changwon, South Korea. The suspect subsequently used ChatGPT to manipulate photos showing bleeding and discoloration at the treated nail area and forged a medical certificate.
The suspect sent the altered images and falsified medical document to the salon, demanding approximately 400,000 won in refunds and treatment costs. The salon rejected the claim.
Reported impact
No financial loss occurred as the salon refused the fraudulent demand.
Index analysis
ChatGPT was used to create synthetic images depicting non-existent nail salon complications to support a fraudulent claim.
Governance controls
Changwon Jung-bu Police Station investigated and referred the suspect to prosecutors on charges of fraud attempt and business obstruction. Police declined to apply document forgery charges because the medical certificate was transmitted as a file rather than a printed document.
Classification
Sources and evidence
This record was researched and written by the Index, based on the following original reporting.