Investigators allege the suspect used fake online identities and fraudulent documents to deceive an IIUI graduate seeking further studies in the United States.
WEB DESK: A suspect in the case involving the death of International Islamic University Islamabad (IIUI) graduate Laiba Ijaz allegedly used ChatGPT to impersonate other people and deceive her over promises of a US study visa, according to a Geo News report published on Monday.
Police sources told Geo News that the suspect, identified as Muhammad Noman, allegedly created online accounts posing as a woman and her brother, who was purportedly living in the United States. Investigators suspect the accounts were used to make Laiba believe that arrangements for her admission and visa were genuine.
Noman was arrested in Islamabad and handed over to police on a five-day physical remand by a judicial magistrate on October 12 for further investigation.
Laiba, a graduate of IIUI who had earned a gold medal, wanted to pursue further studies in the United States. Her family alleges that she was deceived through promises of university admission and visa arrangements and was provided with fraudulent documents.
How the Alleged Scheme Worked
According to police sources cited by Geo News, Noman first came into contact with Laiba in March 2023, when she applied for an internship at an insurance company where he worked.
The report states that their contact continued through subsequent work arrangements. Laiba later sought his assistance in obtaining a US visa after being told about a woman, identified as Aiza, whose brother allegedly lived in the United States.
Investigators allege that Noman subsequently created an online account impersonating Aiza and used ChatGPT to communicate as though he were Aiza and her brother.
The suspect allegedly supplied documents that appeared authentic, including paperwork related to the proposed visa and university admission.
Police sources said Laiba became suspicious after the dates given for her visa interview were repeatedly changed. The dates reportedly included September 1, September 17 and September 26.
She subsequently checked the documents and discovered that they were allegedly fake, according to the report.
Financial Losses Under Investigation
The case also involves allegations of substantial financial losses.
According to the Geo News report, Laiba gave Noman Rs2.1 million obtained by her father through the sale of a plot. She also handed over jewellery belonging to her stepmother.
A separate report by Geo News, citing the first information report (FIR), said the family alleged that Rs9.3 million had been agreed upon as the overall cost of the visa and travel arrangements. The complaint described payments made in cash and through bank transfers.
The FIR reportedly alleged that documents presented as proof of university admission and financial transactions were fraudulent.
The precise amounts and the alleged roles of each individual remain matters for investigators and the courts to establish.
Suspect Remanded as Investigation Continues
A judicial magistrate on Monday granted police five days of physical remand of the principal suspect, allowing investigators to question him and pursue evidence in the case.
Police sources also suspect that other women may have been targeted through alleged online fraud. Investigators are examining the case and reportedly plan to conduct a forensic examination of the suspect’s mobile phone to recover potentially deleted data and identify any additional victims.
The allegations have not been established as proven facts in a court of law. The suspect remains entitled to the presumption of innocence while the investigation and legal proceedings continue.
Government and Agency Response
The case has drawn attention from federal authorities. Earlier reporting by Geo News and Dawn said Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had taken notice of the incident and directed officials to pursue the investigation.
The Federal Investigation Agency has also been involved in examining allegations relating to the alleged visa and university admission fraud.
Authorities are expected to establish the sequence of events, verify the authenticity of the documents and determine the roles of the individuals named in the complaints.
Questions Over AI Misuse and Online Fraud
The allegations highlight how generative AI tools can be misused alongside fake accounts and fabricated documents to make online deception appear credible.
However, the reported use of ChatGPT in this case is an allegation attributed to police sources. The available reporting does not establish that the AI tool independently carried out the fraud or that all aspects of the alleged scheme have been conclusively verified.
The investigation will need to establish what tools were used, how the communications were created and whether other people were involved.
