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Technology
Apr 16, 2026

Businessman Uses AI to Make False Statements to Shut Down London Nightclub

AI Summary
A London businessman has pleaded guilty to using AI to generate false statements in an attempt to shut down the Heaven nightclub in central London. The nightclub had temporarily closed after a rape allegation against one of its security guards.

Aldo d’Aponte, 47, the CEO of Arbitrage Group Properties, has pleaded guilty to writing two letters, supposedly by his neighbours, objecting to the reopening of Heaven nightclub. Police believe the letters were generated using artificial intelligence (AI).

The nightclub, a popular LGBTQ venue in central London, had its licence suspended in November 2024 after a 19-year-old woman accused a bouncer of rape. It was allowed to reopen with enhanced welfare and security policies after a council hearing held a month later. The security guard was later found not guilty of the alleged offence.

During the council hearing, council officials received letters, sent via an encrypted email address, all of which were detailed in their complaints about the nightclub. An investigation by Philip Kolvin KC, a planning lawyer, found that the letters were likely written using AI and that the people who had apparently written the complaints did not appear to exist.

Police traced the IP addresses linked to two of the letters to d’Aponte. He was given a 12-month conditional discharge and ordered to pay £85 costs and a £26 victim surcharge. The use of AI to generate false statements is a growing issue, according to Metropolitan police.

The case highlights the potential for AI to be misused in making false statements, and the importance of verifying the authenticity of complaints. There are two further live cases police are exploring regarding false representations written by AI.