Fake photos of PNG celebrity being used in Facebook scams

Jennifer Baing was scrolling through Facebook when she came across a photo of herself wearing revealing lingerie.The image was fake.Scammers had used artificial intelligence (AI) to manipulate photos taken from the former PNG television host's social media accounts, where she has built a large following promoting traditional food and agriculture.They then used her likeness to promote fake giveaways, asking people to send money for the chance to win."It's happening to everybody," Ms Baing said."Our photos are being abused, and our public standing is being abused by these scammers, these impersonators."Her experience comes as Papua New Guinea prepares new laws to criminalise the malicious use of AI, including deepfakes, voice cloning and digital impersonation.Experts say the reforms are needed, but warn legislation alone will not protect people unless communities understand how AI is being used to deceive.AI-manipulated images of Jennifer Baing are being used to tout Facebook scams offering big payouts. (Supplied)Fake accounts and real-world consequencesMs Baing said she had identified almost 100 Facebook accounts using her name and photos.Some cloned her social media profile to impersonate her. Others used AI-generated images of her handing out cash to promote fake giveaways.She said the harm went beyond damage to her reputation."I'm concerned about my safety as well because if that person's really scammed someone out of a lot of money, they're going to come after me," she said."So my personal safety is also at risk."Ms Baing said she had repeatedly reported fake Facebook accounts using her name and photos, but they remain online.The ABC has approached Meta for comment.Ms Baing, the daughter of former Markham MP Andrew Baing, plans to contest her father's former seat at PNG's 2028 national election.A composite image showing a real photo and the version manipulated using AI. (Supplied)She fears AI-generated images, videos and misinformation could also be used to deceive voters, particularly in rural communities where awareness of the technology remains limited."We have to run awareness [campaigns] in communities where people aren't educated enough to understand exactly what AI is," she said."Don't believe everything that somebody shows you online."They could do this to your daughter. They could do this to one of your family members as well."Jennifer Baing says the damage done by the AI-generated images goes beyond her reputation. (Supplied)Pacific countries reviewing cybercrime lawsPNG is not alone in trying to strengthen protections against evolving online crime.Across the Pacific, governments are updating cybercrime laws and improving digital security responses as scams, impersonation and online exploitation become more common.Several countries, including Fiji, Tonga, PNG and Vanuatu, have signed up to the Budapest Convention on Cybercrime; an international treaty that helps members investigate cyber offences across borders and obtain digital evidence.Samoa launched a dedicated cybercrime police unit last year, but its legal framework is still catching up.The country has no standalone cybercrime law, with offences prosecuted under the Crimes Act. The government has acknowledged gaps in the legislation and lists updating it as a long-term priority in its 2026 National Cybersecurity Strategy.In Vanuatu, the government amended its Harmful Digital Communications Act last year, introducing tougher penalties for online abuse, digital impersonation and the sharing of intimate images.PNG's proposed reforms would go a step further by specifically targeting the malicious use of AI.The government plans to introduce amendments to the Cybercrime Code Act when parliament returns in November. The proposed laws would criminalise AI-generated sexually explicit material, child exploitation content, fraudulent voice cloning, online scams and digital impersonation.Police struggling to keep pacePNG Assistant Commissioner of Police Hodges Ette said cybercrime complaints have risen sharply over the past five years."It's a daily complaint," he said."Not only are complaints lodged at the cybercrime unit, they're also lodged at police headquarters, in the provinces and at police stations."But PNG's Cybercrime Unit has just seven officers to investigate offences across a country of about 10 million people."That is insufficient," Assistant Commissioner Ette said.Hodges Ette says AI-related crimes are becoming an increasing concern for investigators. (Supplied: PNG Department of Information and Communications Technology)To help manage the workload, police are shifting less complex online offences to local police stations so specialist investigators can focus on more serious cybercrime.The assistant commissioner said investigators were already seeing many AI-generated deepfakes."I personally saw one early this week," he said last week."There was a photo of three girls standing together, fully clothed."A couple of days later, the same photo appeared again, but this time the three girls were naked."He said cases involving AI-generated sexual images were becoming an increasing concern for investigators.'The level of stress is so serious'Assistant Commissioner Ette said the psychological impact on victims can be devastating."I am aware of several instances where girls, particularly young women, have committed suicide," he said."The level of stress mentally is so serious."He said victims need better access to counselling and support alongside stronger laws."It's frightening. I am a father of two girls," he said."I'm always apprehensive when I open Facebook."Colm Gannon, who heads the International Centre for Missing and Exploited Children Australia, said many Pacific communities still underestimate the risks posed by AI."People do not think within the Pacific Islands that it's going to affect their day-to-day wellbeing," he said."What we're seeing is AI becoming a commodity where young people, sometimes without realising it, are being sexually exploited and made vulnerable online."He said governments should adopt a victim-centred approach, working with technology companies to remove abusive content quickly and provide support for victims.