AI Crocodile Hoax Halted Water Activities at Singapore Reservoir for Two Days, Man Charged Over False Message

A 30-year-old man has been charged after an AI-generated crocodile image triggered a search operation at a Singapore reservoir and led authorities to suspend water activities there for two days.

Ye Lin, a Myanmar national, faces charges of communicating a false message and obstructing the course of justice in connection with the image, which was linked to a reported crocodile sighting at Pandan Reservoir in August.

The case has highlighted the difficulties authorities can face in distinguishing AI-generated images from real sightings, after Singapore's national water agency found that several AI detection tools produced inconclusive results when it tried to verify the photo.

How the AI Crocodile Hoax Unfolded

On 20 August, the national water agency PUB received information that a crocodile had been spotted at Pandan Reservoir, accompanied by a photograph. PUB and the National Parks Board then deployed resources to search for the reptile and warned members of the public to exercise caution.

Water activities at the reservoir were suspended for two days, with the Singapore Rowing Association and Singapore Canoe Federation also instructed to halt activities.

According to CNA, PUB subsequently found that the photo was fake and lodged a police report. Water activities resumed on 22 August.

AI Image Triggered Real Search Operation

Police said preliminary investigations found that Ye had created the AI-generated image depicting a crocodile at the reservoir and sent it to a colleague.

PUB later said its own checks initially produced no definitive answer. The agency said that it used several AI detection tools to examine the photograph, but the results were inconclusive.

The agency said it acted quickly as a precaution while searches were conducted. The image was subsequently confirmed to be fake.

PUB has since said Ye was employed by its reservoir maintenance contractor and that his supervisor alerted the agency to the photograph.

Man Faces Two Criminal Charges

Ye was charged on 29 September with communicating a false message and obstructing the course of justice.

Police said Ye subsequently deleted the image and the related application in an attempt to conceal his actions. Court reporting identified the application as Gemini, with the obstruction charge relating to the alleged deletion of the image and app history.

The offence of communicating a false message carries a maximum sentence of three years in prison, a fine of up to S$10,000 (about US$7,800 or £5,900) or both. Obstructing the course of justice carries up to seven years' imprisonment, a fine, or both.

Ye told the court through an interpreter that he intended to plead guilty and would not engage a lawyer.

Case Returns To Court in November

Ye's case is due to return to court on 10 November. He remains accused unless and until the court determines the charges.

The Singapore Police Force warned that false information can cause fear and inconvenience and result in public resources being unnecessarily deployed. Police also warned the public not to submit fabricated or manipulated material, including AI-generated or digitally altered images, to the authorities while presenting it as authentic.

'The Police will not hesitate to take action against anyone who communicates falsehoods,' the force said, urging the public to 'refrain from circulating false information or edited images that could cause unnecessary public alarm.'