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Russian Woman Fined 15,000 Rubles for ChatGPT-Generated Bear Image That Sparked Police Hunt

A resident of Magdagachi in Russia's Amur region used ChatGPT to add a bear to a photo of Krasnoarmeyskaya street as a prank on her friend. The realistic image spread through messengers, prompting residents to alert police and sending hunters with equipment to search for the nonexistent animal. The incident reached the district head, causing widespread fear, with one local resident too afraid to leave home or visit the store. The woman later confessed to police that the image was AI-generated, admitted guilt in court under part 9 of article 13.15 of the Russian Code of Administrative Offenses, and received a reduced fine of 15,000 rubles due to her remorse and first offense. Her iPhone 15 was not confiscated after she explained its necessity for work. This marks the second similar case involving AI-generated bears, following a 30,000-ruble fine and iPhone 11 confiscation in Duldurga, Zabaykalye region, in September.

AntiMalwareTranslated from Russian

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A woman from Magdagachi in the Amur region added a bear to her own photograph of Krasnoarmeyskaya street using ChatGPT to play a joke on her friend. The image proved convincing enough to circulate widely in messengers, leading residents to contact police and triggering an organized search by hunters equipped with technical gear.

The situation escalated when information reached the head of the district, prompting official action. One local resident reported spending the entire day afraid to leave her house and unable to go to the store. The author eventually contacted police herself and admitted that the image had been created with generative AI.

In court the woman pleaded guilty, expressed remorse, and explained that she had intended only to joke. She was found guilty under part 9 of article 13.15 of the Russian Code of Administrative Offenses. The court imposed a fine of 15,000 rubles, below the statutory minimum of 30,000 rubles, taking into account her admission of guilt, remorse, financial situation, and lack of prior offenses.

The seized iPhone 15 was not confiscated after the defendant requested its return for work purposes. This is the second documented case involving AI-generated bears: in September a resident of Duldurga in the Zabaykalye region received a 30,000-ruble fine for a similar post and had her iPhone 11 confiscated.

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