A CLEVELAND man has been charged with 43 offences after an investigation into allegedly AI-generated explicit posters targeting women across South East Queensland.
Police allege the posters featured victims’ faces super-imposed onto the bodies of women performing sexual acts.
The women’s names, social media accounts, employment details and locations were also allegedly published alongside false claims they were sex workers.
Ipswich Detective Acting Inspector Tim Martin described the alleged offending as “quite disgusting”, callous and sickening.
“You only have to put yourself in the victims’ shoes and imagine your face being superimposed onto an image such as that and members of the public coming across and seeing it,” he said.
“In your professional capacity, as a mum, a sister or a daughter, you never want to see those sorts of things.”
Police had been aware of the alleged offending since 2021, with posters reportedly found from Hervey Bay to western Queensland, mostly in public toilet blocks and parks.
The investigation intensified after a poster was allegedly discovered at a Gatton public venue on May 26.
Police could not confirm how many posters had been displayed because some were allegedly discarded before officers recovered them.
Detective Acting Inspector Martin said evidence allegedly identified the accused placing posters at several locations, but police could not confirm he had placed them at every reported site.
Ipswich detectives searched a Cleveland address on July 22, allegedly seizing electronic devices, printers and pre-prepared AI-generated posters.
Police also allegedly found an electronic control weapon, three long firearms and 25 rounds of ammunition.
A 52-year-old Cleveland man has been charged with 27 counts of distributing intimate images, six counts of unlawful stalking, four counts of unlawful possession of a firearm and four counts of using a postal service to menace, harass or cause offence.
He was also charged with one count each of using a carriage service to menace, harass or cause offence and possessing explosives without authority.
The man was remanded in custody and is due to appear in Brisbane Magistrates Court on August 19.
Eight alleged victims, aged between 40 and 60, have been identified from Newstead, Jindalee, Murarrie, Ellen Grove, Carindale, Deagon, Urraween and Brookfield.
Several women from smaller communities were reportedly alerted by people who recognised them.
“The intention was to publicly humiliate and degrade those victims,” Detective Acting Inspector Martin said.
“It is important to remember that these are real people behind the images who have suffered significant emotional distress as a result of this alleged offending.”
Police are investigating whether the accused knew any of the women and believe there may be more victims or unrecovered posters.
“Given the scope of the alleged offending across South East Queensland, we encourage anyone who believes they may be a victim of this type of offending to come forward and report it to police,” Detective Acting Inspector Martin said.
“We understand it can be quite traumatising and emotionally distressing.”
The alleged victims have been referred to support services.
Police were not aware of the images being published online but warned people not to share any material they encountered.
Anyone who discovers a poster or believes they may have been targeted can contact Policelink online or Crime Stoppers anonymously on 1800 333 000.
