Police Expose Denpasar 'Pocong Begal' Hoax as AI-Generated Fake

Polresta Denpasar confirmed that the viral information about a ‘pocong begal’ in Monang Maning, West Denpasar, was a hoax created using digital manipulation and artificial intelligence (AI). Denpasar Police Chief of Public Relations, Iptu I Gede Adi Saputra Jaya, stated on Monday that the police had conducted an investigation after the information went viral and caused public concern on Saturday, 30 May 2026. ‘Our investigation confirmed that the reports of a pocong begal in Monang Maning were false. The circulating images were digitally manipulated using AI technology,’ Saputra said. He explained that police interviewed three underage witnesses, identified as N, D, and B. According to statements, witness N claimed to have first received the information and photos about the alleged pocong begal from friend D. N then reposted the information on their Instagram account as a warning to the public in case the report was true. However, the post quickly spread and went viral across social media platforms. Meanwhile, witness D admitted obtaining the photo from a social media post showing a pocong figure in Monang Maning, which was then forwarded to N and subsequently spread widely. Further investigation revealed that witness B created the photo using an AI-based application. B confessed to editing a photo of the alley behind his house in Monang Maning and adding a pocong figure on Wednesday, 28 May at around 7 PM WITA. After editing, the image was posted to his personal social media account. The following day, B learned the edited photo had spread widely on social media with the caption ‘Pocong Begal in Monang Maning’. ‘B said he was unaware who took screenshots of his social media post leading to its massive viral spread,’ he added. Police conducted further source tracing, witness examinations, and on-site verification. No incidents or reports related to the alleged pocong begal were found in the area.