"My Close Cousin Made Deepfake Sexual Crime Videos... Mom Collapsed and Was Hospitalized"

After Deepfake Sexual Crime Video Revealed, Photos Made Private
Cousin, Who Was Close and Frequently Visited, Identified as Suspect

A man in his 30s who created deepfake sexual crime videos (fake videos synthesized using artificial intelligence technology to manipulate faces and other body parts) involving his cousin, with whom he was usually close, has been arrested.

On the 13th, MBC reported the victimization of a woman in her 20s, Ms. Lee, by her cousin older brother. Ms. Lee received a text message on the 4th saying, "It has been confirmed that you are a victim of deepfake; please contact the police." After the seriousness of deepfake sexual crime videos became known last month, Ms. Lee had changed her social networking service (SNS) and messenger profiles to private. She was reportedly very shocked by this message. She said, "I blocked all male acquaintances, classmates, or people I wasn’t close with from seeing my profile and cleaned up my Instagram so they couldn’t see it," expressing her surprise.

The perpetrator confirmed at the police station was none other than her cousin older brother, Mr. Kim (in his 30s). Mr. Kim and Ms. Lee were close enough to exchange messages like "You should definitely have a hobby. It seems to have many good influences," "You’re cool," and "I support you." They often traveled together as family, so they were 'friends' on SNS, able to see each other’s private photos. Mr. Kim used photos obtained from Ms. Lee’s SNS to create deepfake sexual crime videos.

Ms. Lee said, "I thought he was kind and deep-hearted because we often hung out with other cousins. He also took great care of our grandmother, so I never expected this." She added, "I was stunned, couldn’t believe it, felt deeply betrayed, and it gave me chills." She further revealed, "My mother initially couldn’t believe it when she heard the story and was so shocked that she was even admitted to the emergency room of a university hospital."

This case is the first confirmed instance of a perpetrator targeting family or relatives since the police launched a deepfake intensive response task force (TF) last month. Mr. Kim is suspected of producing 128 deepfake sexual crime videos using the faces of 24 women he knew, including minors. It is also reported that he created an exchange method on Telegram to collect more sexual exploitation materials, amassing about 9,000 child and youth sexual exploitation materials. The police have arrested Mr. Kim and handed him over to the prosecution.