Thousands of Instagram users seem to have fallen for a fake account claiming to be that of Canadian fugitive Ryan Wedding. Analysis by CBC News reveals that the account is actually run by artificial intelligence.
Over the past week, an Instagram user with the handle bossryanw has been sharing pictures of luxury motorcycles, a helicopter, a snowboarding medal, and even a small statue of Wedding on a public profile. The account has amassed over 44,000 followers as of Monday night, gaining attention from a Toronto crime blog and the social media platform X through a post by gossip outlet 6ixBuzz.
Commenters on the Instagram account noted the use of AI in the content. A CBC News investigation uncovered several indicators suggesting that the images shared on the account are likely AI-generated and do not portray the real Ryan Wedding, a former Olympic snowboarder wanted for cocaine trafficking and other serious crimes.
Ryan Wedding, a fugitive from Thunder Bay, Ontario, has been evading authorities for years, facing charges related to drug trafficking and alleged involvement in numerous murders. The Instagram account falsely portrays him enjoying a lavish lifestyle on the run.
One post on the account features an orange motorcycle with a dedication to Wedding allegedly from MotoGP champion Marc Márquez. However, Márquez’s representative denied any association with Wedding or the account.
AI Influence in Images
One photo on the account shows a medal on a Daffy Duck sculpture, hinting at a property seizure linked to Wedding in Mexico. The illegible text on the medal suggests AI manipulation, as AI tools struggle with text rendering.
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Another image of MotoGP motorcycles, including those of Dovizioso and Márquez, also