Man dies by suicide following sextortion scam involving AI woman
Thursday 8 October 2026 · 2 outlets · 2 reports · updated 
A 41-year-old man took his own life after being targeted by a sextortion scam. The man sent images to an AI-generated woman and subsequently paid money to blackmailers. A coroner is now investigating the death.
Key facts
4 facts
- A 41-year-old man died by suicide in 2024 following a sextortion scam
- The scammer used an AI-generated persona named 'Donna Chase' on Signal
- Demands for money included bank transfers and Steam gift cards
- Police believe the bank account used was linked to an overseas criminal network
The full story
1 min read · 2 outlets
A 41-year-old man died by suicide in 2024 after being targeted by a 'sextortion' scam involving an AI-generated persona. The man had been in contact with an online persona named 'Donna Chase' via the Signal messaging app. Police believe 'Donna Chase' was not a real person but an AI-generated identity used to trick the man into sharing sexually explicit images.
After receiving the images, the scammer immediately began blackmailing the man by threatening to send the content to his contacts. The perpetrator demanded payment through bank transfers and pre-paid Steam gift cards. Although the man paid money to the criminals, the specific amount has not been disclosed.
Coroner Janet Anderson stated that the actions of 'Donna' were the primary factor in the man's death. The man was reportedly in a vulnerable state, dealing with a relationship break-up, financial issues, and the recent death of a relative. He sent farewell messages to his family on the morning he died and was found dead after they went to check on him.
This incident marks the second sextortion-related suicide brought before the Coroners Court this year. A previous case involved an 18-year-old who died in 2023 after being extorted by a scammer on Facebook.
Compiled from reports by NZ Herald and RNZ.