BALINEWSID.COM, DENPASAR – Police have confirmed that viral claims about a so-called “ghost robber” (pocong begal) allegedly appearing in the Monang Maning area of West Denpasar were a hoax. Investigators revealed that the widely circulated image at the center of the rumors was digitally manipulated using Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology.

The rumor gained traction after an Instagram post began circulating on Saturday, May 30, 2026, at around 2:00 p.m. local time. The post featured an image of a pocong—a ghost-like figure from Indonesian folklore—accompanied by claims that it had been involved in robbery incidents in the Monang Maning area, causing concern among local residents.

Responding to the viral information, the Criminal Investigation Unit of West Denpasar Police launched an inquiry to verify the claims. Investigators questioned three witnesses, all of whom were minors and identified only by their initials: N, D, and B.

According to witness N, he first received the image and accompanying information from his friend D. Believing the information might be true, N reposted the image on his personal Instagram account as a warning to the public.

The post quickly spread across social media platforms and gained widespread attention.

Meanwhile, witness D told investigators that he initially saw the image through a social media status showing a pocong figure in the Monang Maning area. D then forwarded the image to N, contributing to its wider circulation.

Denpasar Police Public Relations Officer IPTU I Gede Adi Saputra Jaya stated that further investigation revealed the image was digitally fabricated using AI technology.

“Further investigation confirmed that the photo was a digital manipulation created using AI technology,” he said.

Police also obtained a statement from witness B, who admitted to creating the image. B said he edited a photograph taken in an alley near his home in Monang Maning on Wednesday, May 28, 2026, at approximately 7:00 p.m. local time. Using an AI-based application, he added an image of a pocong figure to the original photograph.

After completing the edit, B uploaded the image to his personal social media status. However, on Thursday, May 29, 2026, at around 8:00 p.m., he discovered that a screenshot of his edited image had been widely shared on Instagram with the caption “Ghost Robber in the Monang Maning Area.”

B told police he did not know who had taken the screenshot from his social media status and circulated it online, eventually causing the image to go viral.

Police conducted a series of investigative measures, including tracing the origin of the information, interviewing witnesses, and carrying out field verification. The investigation concluded that reports of a “ghost robber” operating in Monang Maning were entirely false.

Authorities have urged the public to be more cautious when receiving and sharing information on social media. Residents are encouraged to verify information before reposting it to prevent the spread of misinformation that could cause unnecessary public anxiety.

“We urge the public not to easily believe information whose accuracy has not been verified. Always check the source before sharing it with others. Let us work together to maintain a safe and conducive public security environment by using social media responsibly,” IPTU I Gede Adi Saputra Jaya said.

Police also reminded the public to remain vigilant regarding digital content that can be manipulated using AI technology and to avoid being influenced by unverified information circulating online.