West Bandung Pocong scare sparks panic as police uncover AI hoax

A figure resembling a pocong roaming at night caused online panic in West Bandung Regency (KBB), West Java. The white-wrapped entity was reported to knock on doors and windows, sparking public fear. The issue gained traction in recent days, particularly in Padalarang and Ngamprah districts, with residents claiming to have seen the pocong-like figure moving between houses while banging on doors. Public concern intensified after photos and videos of the pocong went viral on social media, but it was later revealed the footage was not real. The viral videos and images were created using artificial intelligence (AI), with the creators and distributors admitting this online. This was confirmed following police investigations into the authenticity of the disturbing pocong videos and images. Five teenagers have been detained for creating and fabricating the pocong appearances using AI technology. ‘It is confirmed as a hoax. We have detained five youths who fabricated the pocong sightings, causing them to go viral and panic the public,’ said Head of the Criminal Investigation Unit at Cimahi Police Resort, AKP Teguh Kumara, when questioned on Tuesday (26/2026). The detained youths admitted to deliberately creating the AI-generated pocong videos and images, unaware their actions would cause genuine public panic.