Hoax video using AI sparks widespread fear on city outskirts
Visakhapatnam police arrested a local man after a fabricated video showing a tiger roaming the Chinnagadili hill area went viral and caused panic among residents living on the hill slopes, officials said on Tuesday.
Arilova Circle Inspector S. Srinivas told reporters the clip, which circulated widely on social media, was an AI-generated image and video composite and not evidence of any wild animal sighting in city limits. The police identified and took into custody a driver named Appalaraju, who posted the footage online to frighten colleagues, and a youth identified as Raju who created the artificial tiger image using artificial intelligence technology, the official said.
"The photo and video are fake. We have detained those responsible and warned residents to verify before sharing such material," Arilova Circle Inspector S. Srinivas said, according to police statements.
Sequence of events and police response
The incident unfolded when a short video showing what appeared to be a large tiger moving through dense vegetation near Chinnagadili was uploaded on Monday. Within minutes it had been shared across messaging apps and social platforms, triggering alarm among families living on the hills and prompting many to keep children indoors for fear of an attack.
- Residents in hill-slope localities reported anxiety and restricted movement after the video spread.
- Arilova police launched an immediate probe after receiving multiple complaints and traced the origin of the clip to a local driver.
- Forensic checks and investigation revealed the animal image was produced using AI; the subsequent video was recorded and published by the accused.
Inspector Srinivas said the accused admitted creating and circulating the footage to scare fellow drivers and cleaners. He emphasised the risks of spreading unverified content and warned against misuse of AI tools to instil fear among the public.
Local impact and official caution
The viral footage disrupted normal life in affected localities, police sources said. Parents were reluctant to send children to play outside and some residents avoided leaving their homes until authorities issued clarifications. No sightings of a tiger were reported to wildlife or forest officials.
Police action included detaining those responsible, recording statements and confiscating devices used to create and distribute the clip, Inspector Srinivas said. He urged citizens to confirm facts with local police before sharing alarming material on social media.
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Location | Chinnagadili hills, under Arilova police limits, Visakhapatnam |
| Accused | Driver Appalaraju; youth named Raju (created AI image) |
| Allegation | Circulating an AI-generated tiger image and video to induce panic |
| Police response | Investigation, detention, seizure of devices, public advisory |
While the episode appears to have been perpetrated as a prank, police noted the potential for serious public disorder and psychological harm. The case underscores growing concerns about the abuse of artificial intelligence tools to create deceptively realistic images and videos that can mislead the public.
Wider implications for public safety and digital literacy
Law enforcement officers said false or doctored visual content can rapidly inflame fear and hamper routine policing. Officials reiterated that rapid verification and circulation of accurate information are crucial to prevent panic. They also signalled intent to treat deliberate creation and dissemination of such hoaxes as punishable under relevant criminal provisions.
Residents urged caution in sharing unverified posts. Several community groups called for improved awareness about digital manipulation tools and for technology platforms to act quickly on reports of harmful content.
Inspector Srinivas concluded by appealing to social media users to exercise responsibility and promised that police will continue to take strict action against those who misuse technology to threaten public peace.
