Pakistani teenager suspected to have used AI system for guidance in attempted poisoning of father

ISLAMABAD Pakistan’s cybercrime authorities have arrested a 17-year-old boy who allegedly turned to an artificial intelligence platform for guidance on poisoning his father, officials said.

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The National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) said information received from the FBI indicated that the teenager was allegedly planning to kill his father and had sought information from the AI platform Claude about carrying out the plan. 

The NCCIA said in a statement that the suspect was influenced by the popular US television series Breaking Bad and had asked various AI chatbots for information on how to produce methanol. 

An NCCIA investigating officer told the BBC that the suspect was still being questioned and that the case remained under investigation. The officer said the arrest was made on the basis of the suspect’s digital footprints.

According to the First Information Report (FIR) registered in the case, the FBI information was conveyed to the NCCIA by Pakistan’s Foreign Affairs Ministry through an official communication on September 22. 

Suspect allegedly used Claude AI to research toxins

The information alleged that a user of Claude AI had been conducting detailed research into lethal toxic substances, their use, and potential effects.

The FIR said digital evidence shared with Pakistani authorities indicated that the user had allegedly made an initial attempt to poison his father by mixing laboratory-grade methanol into his food. After the attempt failed, he allegedly sought further information from the AI about abrin, a toxic substance derived from rosary peas.

Investigators also seized an iPhone 15 Pro Max during a search of the suspect’s home, along with several chemicals, including methanol, ethylene glycol, hydrochloric acid, potassium hydroxide, and sodium hydroxide. The FIR identified the substances as potential chemicals that could be used in preparing poison.

According to the preliminary report, the FBI also shared the email address linked to the account and information on multiple IP addresses with Pakistani authorities. Using these details, NCCIA Lahore began tracing the suspect digitally and verifying his identity through the National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) system. 

Suspect received chemicals from Australia, Islamabad

The suspect allegedly sourced chemicals from Australia and Islamabad before preparing a poisonous mixture at his home. The NCCIA spokesperson said the teenager reportedly administered the substance to his father on one occasion, but the alleged poisoning attempt was unsuccessful. 

According to NCCIA director Hassam Bin Iqbal, the suspect had an interest in chemistry. His aim was to experiment with producing biodiesel from methanol by using sodium hydroxide and potassium hydroxide in the process. “After that, the suspect turned to AI and asked what reaction methanol would cause in the human body if ingested, and what effects it would have on the liver,” he said.

The case highlights a growing concern over the misuse of artificial intelligence, particularly by young users who may turn to AI tools for information that can have serious real-world consequences.