Police say fake accounts made a pickup order look legitimate, but store managers flagged the transaction before releasing merchandise.
CHATHAM COUNTY, GA — Chatham County police arrested 20-year-old Dieon Cornelius Love on Sept. 7 after investigators said he used artificial intelligence to create fraudulent accounts while posing as a delivery driver trying to pick up merchandise from a retailer.
Police charged Love with criminal attempt to commit a misdemeanor. Investigators said the fake accounts were designed to make fraudulent orders appear legitimate. Store managers noticed problems with the transaction and contacted police before any merchandise was released. The department said the arrest marked the first criminal case in its jurisdiction in which investigators had directly linked the alleged use of artificial intelligence to the offense.
Local news reports identified the business as a major national retailer but did not name it. A separate report identified the retailer as Walmart and described the alleged scheme as involving the company’s Spark delivery system. That store identification and other details specific to the Spark platform were not independently confirmed in the Chatham County police or sheriff records reviewed for this report.
Chatham County Police Chief Jeff Hadley said the case showed how rapidly changing technology can become part of more traditional criminal activity. “Technology is moving at breakneck speed, and AI adds a new and uncharted element to criminal activity,” Hadley said. He credited the retailer with recognizing warning signs and contacting law enforcement before the attempted pickup was completed.
Authorities have not publicly detailed what artificial intelligence tool investigators believe was used, how the accounts were generated or what information was altered to make the orders appear legitimate. Police also have not released technical evidence showing how investigators determined AI was involved. Those details may become clearer as the investigation continues or if evidence is later presented in court.
The Chatham County Sheriff’s Office booking record lists Love’s full name as Dieon Cornelius Love and shows that Chatham County police arrested him Sept. 7. The record listed a $1,300 bond. The booking page did not provide additional details about the alleged scheme, and the charge against Love remains an accusation that has not been proven in court.
WSAV reported that the FBI assisted Chatham County police in the investigation, citing a department spokesperson. No separate FBI announcement about the case was located. Police have not said whether investigators believe other people were involved or whether the alleged activity is connected to similar cases outside Chatham County.
Walmart describes its Spark Driver platform as a system that allows independent contractors to accept shopping and delivery offers for Walmart customers and other retail partners. The company has also said it uses identity-verification measures intended to reduce fraudulent use of the platform. Authorities have not publicly established in the primary local reports reviewed that Love had a legitimate Spark account or explained precisely how any purported delivery account was created.
The case remains under investigation. Police had not announced additional charges, additional arrests or a next court proceeding in the publicly available reports reviewed as of Saturday. No plea or response to the allegation from Love or an attorney representing him was located.
Author note: Last updated September 12, 2026.