'ChatGPT made me do it': Suspected thief blames AI for elaborate scheme to get police attention

ChatGPT “told” a thief to steal high-end computer components — at least, that’s the story a suspect in Pyeongtaek is pitching to police after allegedly drilling their way into a computer parts store and making off with pricey graphics cards.

A still from footage of the break-in at a computer store in Pyeongtaek, Gyeonggi, on Feb. 22, uploaded to the YouTube channel “TYPC.” [YONHAP]

ChatGPT “told” a thief to steal high-end computer components — at least, that’s the story a suspect in Pyeongtaek is pitching to police after allegedly drilling their way into a computer parts store and making off with pricey graphics cards.

The Pyeongtaek Police Precinct requested an arrest warrant for the suspect on charges of special larceny, according to police Wednesday.

The suspect is accused of breaking into a computer parts store at around 6 a.m. Sunday and stealing three boxes of high-end graphics processing units (GPUs) worth 17 million won ($11,900).

They allegedly used a hammer drill to break through the store’s door, entering the premises and taking the GPUs. They were arrested within a day, but had already sold two of the three boxes at a steep discount.

Investigators are still tracking the stolen goods.

During questioning, the suspect said they committed the crime in order to push police to investigate an online fraud scheme through which they claimed to have lost money.

The OpenAI logo is displayed on a mobile phone in front of a computer screen with output from ChatGPT on March 21, 2023 in Boston. [AP/YONHAP]

“I committed the crime because I wanted police to investigate the case quickly,” the suspect told investigators. “When I asked ChatGPT, it said that if I transferred stolen money to an account tied to my losses, and if I was then caught for theft, police would naturally investigate the fraud along with the theft.”

The suspect also claimed to have deposited 5.9 million won of the proceeds into an account connected to the scam.

The suspect did recently file a complaint alleging fraud, according to police. Authorities added that investigators will look into whether the suspect’s statements are true.

This article was originally written in Korean and translated by a bilingual reporter with the help of generative AI tools. It was then edited by a native English-speaking editor. All AI-assisted translations are reviewed and refined by our newsroom. BY SHIN HYE-YEON [kim.minyoung5@joongang.co.kr]