A picture has been going viral online over the last couple of days, claiming that Phnom Penh’s Wat Svay Mear was hit by a major heist and its sacred artifacts were stolen. The photo looked convincing enough that plenty of people bought into it at first glance and started blasting it across their group chats.
Turns out, it was all fake. A local Ministry of Justice official stepped in to set the record straight, clarifying that nothing was actually taken from the temple. That picture flying around social media was entirely generated by AI.
In a city where folks love nothing more than unwinding at a roadside stall with an iced coffee after work, phone in hand, the fake story blew up into an instant topic of conversation. These days, it seems you don't just have to dodge exhaust fumes on your evening motorbike ride—you also have to keep your guard up online so you don't get fooled by AI.
