WARNING: This story contains details of violence and sexual exploitation, including rape.
For almost four months, Ottawa police had no leads in their AI deepfake investigation – until they identified a suspect through an Airbnb booking, according to court documents obtained by .
The file explains how one investigator pieced together a case that started with just one victim but now includes over 50 – using IP addresses, which led him to the rental where the accused stayed with his wife in February 2024.
The information comes from sworn affidavits by Ottawa police officer Det. Const. Dakota Bashford, filed in court to obtain search warrants and production orders – legal requests requiring a business to provide records or data.
The claims detailed in the 345 pages of documents have not been proven in court.
Stephen Lowe, 60, from Maitland, N. S., was arrested on Feb 12, 2026. He faces 79 charges including harassment, making threats, possessing and sharing obscene materials as well as child sexual abuse and exploitation material.
has talked with 14 women across Nova Scotia, Ontario and Nunavut who claim their images were taken from social media profiles and altered into fake violent scenes involving rape, torture and kidnapping. Some appeared nude.
The Ottawa Police Service is leading this multi-jurisdictional investigation since the first complaint originated locally.
A second man involved is Gregry Peter Joseph Van Beek, 38, from West Nipissing, Ont., facing seven charges including stalking by watching and besetting, conspiracy to commit an indictable offence and sharing intimate images without consent.
“It is believed that this online behavior has crossed over into ‘real life,'” Bashford stated in the court documents.
Stephen Lowe, 60, of Maitland, N. S., is facing 79 charges including harassment, uttering threats, and creation of obscene material. (Stephen Lowe/Facebook)
Bashford identified himself as the lead investigator in these documents and indicated he suspected an unidentified individual had secretly recorded a woman at her home through her window.
“It is imperative that this person(s) is identified and charged accordingly for having engaged in this predatory behaviour,” he wrote.
The documents suggest Bashford now believes Van Beek may be that individual; he’s described as an enforcement officer for Ontario’s Transportation Ministry.
The court filings also reveal that as of May 19th , police are still trying to identify a third man linked to the case who may not even be in Canada anymore.
WATCH | More on the two charged:
Two men charged for violent AI deepfakes targeting Canadian womenPolice have charged two men for allegedly using images of numerous Canadian women within violent AI deepfakes posted online without their consent. He noted while X and Meta are American companies willing to assist Canadian law enforcement if there’s a court order available; however Tumblr- where there were more than three hundred relevant posts- would not provide similar assistance.
As authorities awaited further clarification pending replies forthwith following initial inquiries launched directed aimed chiefly at exploring ownership status officials contacted local internet providers determining whether any ties existed leading possible suspects emerging amongst clientele previously catalogued numbered earlier twelve candidates counting list standing before them presently resolved otherwise ruling negative results attained preceding arrival notifications received being communicated way back forth presented December third day ensuring clarity found amidst complexities forming fundamental aspects traversing entire inquiry journey chronicling efforts undertaken detailing particulars followed through diligently regardless holiday interruptions encountered enduring gaps witnessed completing tasks essential keeping momentum progressing onward !
The timeline
Court files show that Ottawa police learned about the situation on Sept. 6 ,2025 when a woman reported harmful content featuring her on a Tumblr account along with another site which will not name to avoid further harm but refers to as a “moral-free file host,” known for amateur pornography. This alleged victim’s identity remains protected due to a court-ordered publication ban. The documents indicate investigators would later believe Lowe uploaded around 7 ,200 files onto this particular site alone. Bashford initiated an investigation discovering X and Instagram accounts he thought were connected. He requested data from X , Meta , Microsoft , Airbnb , Bell Canada , along with pornographic websites.WATCH | More on the two charged:
Two men charged for violent AI deepfakes targeting Canadian womenPolice have charged two men for allegedly using images of numerous Canadian women within violent AI deepfakes posted online without their consent. He noted while X and Meta are American companies willing to assist Canadian law enforcement if there’s a court order available; however Tumblr- where there were more than three hundred relevant posts- would not provide similar assistance.
More about what’s happened:
In his attempts at obtaining these orders Bashford laid out all evidence collected so far.
He believed someone unknown created a Tumblr account back on Aug.1 ,2020 posting pictures showing two sisters alongside their mother that day; beneath those images sat another graphic depicting four bound women.
The documentation shows disturbing posts about this family continued for over five years featuring edited photos suggesting they were subjected to various forms of abuse alongside “date rape” drugs or depicted holding signs like “RAPE ME PLEASE.”
Certain posts became especially intricate such as creating movie posters labeled “Rape Napped” incorporating real pictures showcasing both sisters plus their mother casted into movie roles under names resembling theirs.Court records describe how one investigator unraveled circumstances surrounding what began initially involving only one victim yet has grown encompassing well over fifty individuals.(Cris Monetta/CBC)Bashford finally started receiving some data he’d requested concerning these investigations.
On Oct.3rd ,2025 X sent him back connected IP address pertinent towards specific accounts he’d flagged down earlier revealing its service provider belonged namely within Nova Scotia’s area offering connections throughout three seventy-two clients according response given by them. Soon after six days elapsed where one adult website frequently used during investigations provided four differing IPs linked towards companies situated likewise within Nova Scotia lands accompanied by Bell Canada itself too! Latter on Nov.3rd following up once again Bell confirmed civic address tied back onto said single listed IP trace resulting correspondingly yielding personal identification concerning owner residing therein!IP address linked directly towards Airbnb
Within merely week thereafter officers visited housing arrangement stated arriving upon finding female occupant explaining having rented property via means facilitated through aforementioned platform belonging called “Airbnb”. This led Bashford seeking legal proceedings mandating confirmation whether said dwelling held occupancy matching respective timeframes marked earlier pertaining webpage activity logged utilizing previously mentioned public interface sources enabling potential links discerning interest parties involved hereunder! refrains from naming present owners since no indications imply connections made regarding ongoing inquiries underway thus far!! Source link :/a >The spouse associated whom amongst duo brought forth charges stemming instances relating explicitly showcasing explicit behaviors exhibited toward multiple females expressed feelings supporting victims present during cases aiming tougher regulations meant aiding processes overseeing punishments levied against offenders exhibiting such deviant tendencies !When returned responses revealed no bookings made inclusive referencing timeframe related previously detected matters specifying topics linking connection points established nowhere confirming agreements upheld rendered omissions transpiring herein additionally noted inconsistencies emerged indicating miscalculations arising stemming mixups caused owing detail inaccuracies presented resulting outcomes traced relative year denoting timelines!!After assessing findings provided together alongside additional cell tower location tracing performed scrutinizing communication devices employed evidently confirming fact occurred cannot proving periods determining access whereabouts claimed exhibited before correlation occurred despite user initiating site visits overall during recorded durations reaching beyond several weeks cumulatively compiling investigative measures implemented thus accomplished effectively searching discovering details needing attention across board ultimately urging investigators keep pushing toward clarifying discrepancies left lying dormant amidst tedious pathways unearthing truth !On Dec.26 Detective affirms recounting dialogue exchanged directly concluded learning subject matter disclosed existence person designated specifically identified named Stephen Lowel (misspelled wrongfully) staying consecutively booked duration spanning between Feb15 th till twenty-first dated year already mentioned !! Providing necessary verification documenting evidence manifestly corroborated presenting contact info reachable fulfilling queries leaving trails remaining behind uncovering digital footprint aligning! Followed immediately researching databases verifying presence legitimately identifying likeness matching characterization attached profile arrangements documented accurately cross-referenced datasets revealing firm grounds solidifying suspicions raising flags indicating possibility underlying doubts established corroborative proof attained underpinning credibility suggesting probable culpability shifting perspectives encasing vulnerabilities hiding suspiciousness consistently masking actions ensued ultimately tracking journeys formulated through meticulous observations conducted piecework fashion ensuing revelations steadily plucked exposing eerie realities lurking underneath surfaces observed keenly monitoring people circumstantial scenarios evolving observed intricacies prevailing chances caught glimpses shedding light upon motivations igniting pursuits yearning satiate curiosities lingering waiting cautiously awaiting final conclusions building anticipation magnitudes unveiling truths obscured amid dynamic elements incorporated translating narratives woven intricately expanded bringing layers unfolding each strand embroidered crafting stories mingled interwoven storytelling providing opportunities examining parts intersect harmoniously portraying reflections mirrored contrasting facets reality existent today guiding lines representing dark shadowy figures taking hold controlling actions dictated unconsciously guided perhaps absent intention manifesting resultant behaviors seen visibly escalating danger rising whole realms warranted diving ever deeper dissect understanding evolving patterns shifts demonstrating consequences emerging implicating responsibilities extending reach enveloping societies grappling confronting challenges hidden scope unravel comprehensively exploring grounds illuminated shining desperately needed hopes reigniting flames passionate crusades awakening seekers pursuing justice actively striving secure outcomes ensuring rightful resolutions unfold smoothly fluidly navigating waters faced preventing catastrophic failures deriving tragedies weighing heavily hearts affected families witnessing pains raw experiences signaling resilience blossom nurturing dreams always blooming shining brightest luminous future awaits us all!
