Ottawa police have arrested two men in connection with what investigators describe as online attacks involving technology-facilitated sexual violence, including the use of artificial intelligence to create deepfake images.
Investigation and Charges
In a news release Friday, police said the investigation began when they received a report of harmful online content depicting a victim whose identity has been withheld. Investigators quickly launched a thorough, trauma-informed and victim-centred investigation, the release said.
The probe focused on allegations of criminal harassment and the online exploitation of women, including the alleged misuse of emerging technologies to create and distribute harmful sexual content without consent. This includes but is not limited to AI deepfakes, the release said. A deepfake is an image that has been digitally altered or generated using artificial intelligence to convincingly replace one person's likeness or voice with another's.
Investigators determined that the impact extended beyond a single complainant and crossed jurisdictional boundaries.
Arrests and Charges
Stephen Lowe, 60, of Maitland, Nova Scotia, was arrested on February 12 and is charged with 25 counts each of harassment by combination of prohibited conduct, uttering threats, and publish/possess obscene material for distribution. He also faces two counts each of print/publish/possess to publish child sexual abuse material and import or selling child sexual abuse material. He remains in custody.
On May 2, police arrested Gregry Van Beek, 38, in West Nipissing, Ontario, and charged him with two counts each of harassment by watching and besetting, uttering threats, and publish intimate image without consent, as well as one charge of conspiracy to commit an indictable offence. He remains in custody.
Victim Impact and Police Response
As the matter is before the courts and subject to a publication ban, police did not release any further information. Police would not comment on published reports that as many as 50 people have been identified as possible victims in the matter.
Victims of technology-facilitated sexual violence often experience significant emotional and psychological impacts, and investigators worked throughout the investigation to prioritize victim safety, privacy and support, police said. They noted Ottawa police continue to invest in investigative expertise, specialized training, and partnerships to support effective responses to these complex investigations.
Anyone with information related to this investigation is asked to contact the Central Criminal Investigations Section at 613-236-1222, extension 5166 or email centralciu@ottawapolice.ca.
