Man charged after AI crocodile image triggers Singapore reservoir search

A 30-year-old man has been charged in Singapore over an artificial intelligence-generated image of a crocodile that prompted a search of Pandan Reservoir and a temporary suspension of water activities. Ye Lin, a Myanmar national, faces one charge of communicating a false message and another of obstructing the course of justice. He told the court through an interpreter that he intended to plead guilty and would not hire a lawyer.

According to the charges, Ye allegedly sent the AI-generated image to a colleague, identified in court documents as Min Min Oo, on August 20. The image depicted a crocodile at the reservoir. The court material does not state the nature of the men’s relationship.

The following day, Ye allegedly deleted the images and the log history from the Gemini AI application on his mobile phone. That allegation forms the basis of the obstruction charge. Singapore’s national water agency, PUB, received information on August 20 that a crocodile had been seen at Pandan Reservoir.

PUB and the National Parks Board conducted search and capture operations, while the Singapore Rowing Association and Singapore Canoe Federation were told to suspend water activities there. PUB said on August 21 that the image was fake, after which water activities resumed. A police report was lodged.

Police warned that they would take action against people who communicate falsehoods, saying such messages can cause public fear and inconvenience and lead to unnecessary deployment of public resources. Ye is due back in court on November 10.