ISLAMABAD: Police are investigating allegations that Muhammad Noman used ChatGPT to impersonate a woman and her brother while convincing International Islamic University Islamabad graduate Laiba Ijaz that he could arrange a US visa for her.
Laiba, a gold medallist who hoped to continue her studies in the United States, was allegedly given forged admission and visa-related documents. Her body was found hanging beside a road in Islamabad’s G-10 sector on October 9. Police sources said she had been under severe stress after discovering the documents were fake. The circumstances surrounding her death remain under investigation.
Noman was arrested in Islamabad’s H-13 sector. A judicial magistrate on Monday granted police five days of physical remand to investigate the case.
According to preliminary findings cited by police sources, Noman first met Laiba in March 2023, when she applied for an internship at an insurance company where he worked. Although she did not take up the position, he later hired Laiba, her sister and mother to promote a tuck shop.
Investigators allege that Noman told Laiba he could help secure a US visa through Aiza, a woman who managed the shop and whose brother reportedly lived in the United States. Police sources say he then created an online account posing as Aiza and used ChatGPT to imitate both her and her brother in messages to Laiba.
The suspect allegedly sent documents that appeared authentic, but Laiba became concerned after her visa interview date was repeatedly changed—from September 1 to September 17 and then September 26. She reportedly checked the paperwork and realised it was fraudulent.
Police sources allege Laiba had handed Noman Rs2.1 million, which her father raised by selling a plot, as well as jewellery belonging to her stepmother. When she asked for the jewellery to be returned first, offering to discuss the remaining money later, Noman allegedly stopped responding and cut off contact.
Investigators suspect there may be other victims. Police say Noman deleted data from his mobile phone before his arrest and plan to conduct a forensic examination to recover information and identify anyone else who may have been targeted.
The case has drawn attention amid other reported investigations in Pakistan involving AI chatbots. In Bahawalpur, a 17-year-old was arrested over an alleged attempt to poison his father; investigators said he had sought information about poison using a chatbot. In a separate Karachi inquiry, authorities examined a 17-year-old’s murder-related chatbot conversations. The teenager said he was researching a story, and no offence had been established against him at the time of reporting.
