'Breaking Bad’-inspired teen arrested in Bahawalpur for trying to poison father with AI

The National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) has arrested a 17-year-old student in Bahawalpur for allegedly attempting to poison his father after seeking guidance from artificial intelligence (AI), an agency spokesperson said on Wednesday.

According to preliminary information, the second-year student allegedly developed strained relations with his father following a disagreement and planned to kill him, the spokesperson said.

The teenager had reportedly developed an interest in chemistry after watching the crime drama Breaking Bad and set up a small laboratory at his home to conduct chemical experiments, according to the NCCIA.

The suspect allegedly obtained chemicals from Australia and Islamabad and prepared a substance at home with the intention of poisoning his father. He reportedly administered the substance to his father on one occasion, but the attempt was unsuccessful, the spokesperson said.

The teenager subsequently allegedly sought further guidance from an AI system, asking how to administer a poison that could kill his father without being detected, according to the spokesperson.

The Punjab NCCIA received information about the suspect through an automated system, following which NCCIA Punjab Director Hissam Bin Iqbal directed a team to investigate the matter.

The team later conducted an operation in Bahawalpur and arrested the suspect, the spokesperson said.

Further investigation is under way to determine the circumstances of the incident, the nature of the chemicals allegedly involved and the suspect’s online activities, according to the agency.