A Co Armagh GAA club has issued a warning to children and parents after one of its youth members was targeted by blackmailers who AI-generated a sexualised image of the child.
The PSNI is investigating the case after the child had informed their parents and a report was immediately made to police.
Thousands of intimate deepfake images have been circulated online in recent weeks via Grok, the artificial intelligence tool linked to Elon Musk’s X as campaigners call on the social media platform to take action against those responsible.
Tír na nOg GAA club in Portadown issued a statement to confirm that one of its young people had been targeted by the online blackmail tactic.
“We wish to make our young people and parents aware of a young person who has been targeted in the community,” a social media post said.
“Sexual images were sent using AI with the young persons face on an AI body with a black mail threat of sharing the image online if money was not paid.
“The age of AI meant these images were very realistic. A list of the young person’s friends on social media was also sent to the young person.
“Thankfully the young person targeted was very sensible and immediately alerted their parents.
“Police have been contacted and have asked for local clubs and schools to alert parents and young people.”
The club also issued advice to young people and parents on how to deal with similar cases of online blackmail, including not replying to the contact, saving the evidence and telling a trusted adult.
The PSNI said it had received a report concerning the incident just after midnight on Tuesday morning, after the blackmail was reported to have taken place around 20 minutes earlier.
“Police in Portadown received a report at around 12.05am on Tuesday, 6th January of online blackmail which took place at around 11.40pm on Monday, 5th January,” a PSNI spokesperson said.
Neighbourhood Inspector Gary McCullough said: “Our officers recently spoke to young people on the topic of online blackmail, including scammers and spam, advising them to tell their parents or guardians. We take all reports of this nature seriously and investigate them thoroughly.
“Enquiries are ongoing in relation to this recent report and anyone with information is asked to contact police on 101, quoting reference number 10 of 06/01/26.”
Chris Quinn, the Northern Ireland Commissioner for Children and Young People, said the incident was a reminder of how new technology can “devastate lives”.
“This incident is a stark reminder of the urgent need to protect children and young people in the digital world.
“Technology offers incredible opportunities, but it also creates new risks that can devastate lives.
“The need to safeguard children and young people online is one of the most important issues we face, and is a key issue for children and young people today.
“Technology companies, regulators, and government must act decisively. Children’s rights and voices must be front and centre in the design of all digital products and services. A rights-respecting online world is not optional; it is a legal and moral obligation.”