A disturbing case unfolded at Westminster Magistrates' Court today as a Polish stalker faced sentencing for waging a vicious harassment campaign against Madeleine McCann's parents, during which he peddled a bizarre conspiracy theory allegedly sourced from artificial intelligence.
The AI-Fueled Stalking Campaign
Dręczyciel Lukasz, a 31-year-old Polish national, subjected Kate and Gerry McCann to a torrent of abusive emails and social media messages over several months. The court heard how his obsession escalated into dangerous false allegations, including the claim that ChatGPT had identified Gerry McCann as Madeleine's biological father.
Prosecutor Eleanor Sturt detailed how the defendant's messages became increasingly threatening, with some communications suggesting he had travelled to the UK specifically to confront the McCann family. The harassment caused significant distress to the couple, who have endured unimaginable suffering since their daughter's disappearance in Portugal seventeen years ago.
ChatGPT's Role in the Conspiracy
In what legal experts are calling a concerning precedent, the stalker repeatedly cited conversations with OpenAI's ChatGPT as evidence for his outrageous claims. He told the AI chatbot: "You told me that Gerry McCann is the biological father of Madeleine McCann," despite the system providing no such information in reality.
District Judge John Zani expressed alarm at the defendant's use of artificial intelligence to validate his dangerous fantasies. "This case highlights the worrying potential for AI technology to be weaponised by those with malicious intent," he remarked during the hearing.
Pattern of Harassment Against Missing Children's Families
The court revealed this wasn't Lukasz's first targeting of families enduring the nightmare of missing children. Evidence showed he had previously harassed relatives of other missing girls, including 13-year-old Scottish schoolgirl Kara Bowers, creating what prosecutors described as a "pattern of predatory behaviour towards vulnerable families."
Detective Inspector Sarah Matthews, who led the investigation, stated: "The defendant systematically sought out grieving families to subject them to his twisted theories and abusive behaviour. His actions demonstrate a calculated cruelty that exploited some of the most painful experiences any family can endure."
Legal Consequences and Growing Concerns
Lukasz pleaded guilty to multiple charges of malicious communications and harassment. The court heard he faces imminent sentencing, with psychological reports being prepared to assess his mental state and risk to the public.
This case has sparked broader concerns among legal professionals and technology experts about the intersection of AI and criminal behaviour. Dr Amanda Fisher, a cyber-psychology researcher at University College London, warned: "As AI becomes more sophisticated, we're seeing increasing instances of individuals using these systems to validate dangerous delusions and conspiracy theories."
The Metropolitan Police have confirmed they're developing new guidelines for investigating crimes involving artificial intelligence, recognising the emerging challenge such technology presents for law enforcement.
