Southport man, 53, charged after deep fake images of students, teachers set to Queensland schools

A man charged with creating deep fake images of students and teachers, and sending them to an elite Brisbane private school, can be named for the first time. WATCH THE ARREST

A man has been charged with creating deep fake images of students and teachers and sending them to a school and sporting associations around Queensland.

Antonio Rotondo, an Australian expatriate living in the Philippines, was arrested on the Gold Coast on Friday in a Surfers Paradise apartment overlooking the Gold Coast 500 Supercars racetrack.

It is understood he travelled to the Gold Coast to attend the event.

The Sunday-Mail understands an elite Brisbane private school was the target.

The moment a man accused of sending deep fake images of teachers and students to a Queensland school is arrested in a Surfers Paradise apartment. Picture: Supplied

Police will allege on October 10 officers received a complaint from a Brisbane school that an email had been sent that included deep fake images.

Child Protection and Investigation Unit detectives with the assistance of the Australian Border Force and other agencies discovered a number of similar incidents from other facilities and businesses across the south east.

Rotondo, 53, has been charged with five counts of obscene publications and exhibitions, one count of obscene publication and exhibition of a child under 16 years and one count of endangering particular property by fire.

The man was arrested on the Gold Coast after a bizarre incident at a Broadbeach pizzeria. Picture: Supplied

His arrest followed a bizarre incident at a Broadbeach pizzeria on Thursday where police will allege Rotondo drilled a hole in a copper gas pipe, resulting in him being charged with endangering property by fire.

Rotondo did not apply for bail when he appeared in Southport Magistrates Court on Saturday via video link and was remanded in custody to face the Federal Circuit Court next week.

Originally published as Southport man, 53, charged after deep fake images of students, teachers set to Queensland schools