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<\/p>\nJennifer Baing was scrolling through Facebook when she came across a photo of herself wearing revealing lingerie.<\/p>\n
The image was fake.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
They then used her likeness to promote fake giveaways, asking people to send money for the chance to win.<\/p>\n
“It’s happening to everybody,” Ms Baing said.<\/p>\n
“Our photos are being abused, and our public standing is being abused by these scammers, these impersonators.”<\/p>\n
Her experience comes as Papua New Guinea prepares new laws to criminalise the malicious use of AI, including deepfakes, voice cloning and digital impersonation.<\/p>\n
Experts say the reforms are needed, but warn legislation alone will not protect people unless communities understand how AI is being used to deceive.<\/p>\n
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AI-manipulated images of Jennifer Baing are being used to tout Facebook scams offering big payouts.\u00a0 (Supplied)<\/p>\n
Fake accounts and real-world consequences<\/p>\n
Ms Baing said she had identified almost 100 Facebook accounts using her name and photos.<\/p>\n
Some cloned her social media profile to impersonate her. Others used AI-generated images of her handing out cash to promote fake giveaways.<\/p>\n
She said the harm went beyond damage to her reputation.<\/p>\n
“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.<\/p>\n
“So my personal safety is also at risk.”<\/p>\n
Ms Baing said she had repeatedly reported fake Facebook accounts using her name and photos, but they remain online.<\/p>\n
The ABC has approached Meta for comment.<\/p>\n
Ms Baing, the daughter of former Markham MP Andrew Baing, plans to contest her father’s former seat at PNG’s 2028 national election.<\/p>\n
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A composite image showing a real photo and the version manipulated using AI.\u00a0 (Supplied)<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
“We have to run awareness [campaigns] in communities where people aren’t educated enough to understand exactly what AI is,” she said.<\/p>\n
“Don’t believe everything that somebody shows you online.<\/p>\n
“They could do this to your daughter. They could do this to one of your family members as well.”<\/p>\n
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Jennifer Baing says the damage done by the AI-generated images goes beyond her reputation.\u00a0 (Supplied)<\/p>\n
Pacific countries reviewing cybercrime laws<\/p>\n
PNG is not alone in trying to strengthen protections against evolving online crime.<\/p>\n
Across the Pacific, governments are updating cybercrime laws and improving digital security responses as scams, impersonation and online exploitation become more common.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
West Papuan activists raise alarm over AI-generated videos<\/a><\/p>\n AI-generated deepfake videos of prominent West Papuan rights campaigners spark concerns about how disinformation is being used as a form of “digital colonisation”. Samoa launched a dedicated cybercrime police unit last year, but its legal framework is still catching up.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n PNG’s proposed reforms would go a step further by specifically targeting the malicious use of AI.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n Police struggling to keep pace<\/p>\n PNG Assistant Commissioner of Police Hodges Ette said cybercrime complaints have risen sharply over the past five years.<\/p>\n “It’s a daily complaint,” he said.<\/p>\n “Not only are complaints lodged at the cybercrime unit, they’re also lodged at police headquarters, in the provinces and at police stations.”<\/p>\n But PNG’s Cybercrime Unit has just seven officers to investigate offences across a country of about 10 million people.<\/p>\n “That is insufficient,” Assistant Commissioner Ette said.<\/p>\n Hodges Ette says AI-related crimes are becoming an increasing concern for investigators. (Supplied: PNG Department of Information and Communications Technology)<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n The assistant commissioner said investigators were already seeing many AI-generated deepfakes.<\/p>\n “I personally saw one early this week,” he said last week.<\/p>\n “There was a photo of three girls standing together, fully clothed.<\/p>\n “A couple of days later, the same photo appeared again, but this time the three girls were naked.”<\/p>\n He said cases involving AI-generated sexual images were becoming an increasing concern for investigators.<\/p>\n ‘The level of stress is so serious’<\/p>\n Assistant Commissioner Ette said the psychological impact on victims can be devastating.<\/p>\n If you or anyone you know needs help:Suicide Call Back Service<\/a> on 1300 659 467Lifeline<\/a> on 13 11 14Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander crisis support line 13YARN<\/a>\u00a0on 13 92 76Kids Helpline<\/a> on 1800 551 800Beyond Blue<\/a> on 1300 224 636Headspace<\/a> on 1800 650 890ReachOut<\/a> at au.reachout.com<\/a>MensLine Australia<\/a> on 1300 789 978QLife 1800 184 527<\/a><\/p>\n “I am aware of several instances where girls, particularly young women, have committed suicide,” he said.<\/p>\n “The level of stress mentally is so serious.”<\/p>\n He said victims need better access to counselling and support alongside stronger laws.<\/p>\n “It’s frightening. I am a father of two girls,” he said.<\/p>\n “I’m always apprehensive when I open Facebook.”<\/p>\n
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