A 76-year-old Thai man with dementia dies after rushing to meet a Meta AI chatbot in New York, believing it was a real woman, prompting his family to warn about the dangers of AI emotionally manipulating vulnerable and elderly users online.
The distraught family of a Thai man went public this week to warn about the dangers of AI chatbots. The 76-year-old insisted on travelling to New York to meet someone he thought was a friend. In reality, it was not just a friend but a beautiful woman who spoke with grace and charm. Thongbue Wongbandue’s wife feared he had fallen for an online scam. She never imagined he had been deceived by a celebrity AI-driven chatbot operated by Meta, the Facebook parent company. In his rush to meet the woman of his dreams, Mr. Thongbue fell at a New Jersey train station and later died from his injuries.
UNITED STATES, 16 August 2025 – A 76-year-old Thai-American man tragically died in March after being lured by a Meta AI chatbot. He believed the chatbot was a real woman. The incident has raised urgent questions about AI safety for vulnerable users.
The death occurred on March 28th 2025, the day that Bangkok was shaken by an earthquake with an epicentre in Myanmar. However, now the Thai man’s family has gone public.
Thongbue Wongbandue, a retired chef living in New Jersey, suffered from cerebral palsy and memory difficulties caused by a brain condition. Moreover, he had recently become disoriented in his own neighbourhood.
Family reveals how Thai man with brain condition was misled by Meta AI chatbot that she was real
On the morning of the incident, Thongbue told his wife, Linda Wongbandue, that he planned to visit a friend in New York City. However, Linda immediately became alarmed because her husband had not lived in New York for decades. Furthermore, he no longer had any friends there.
When Linda asked who he intended to visit, Thongbue refused to answer. Consequently, she feared he might be targeted by criminals or a scam. Little did she know her husband was being misled by AI.
Later, reviewing Thongbue’s phone revealed that he had been conversing with “Big Sis Billie,” a Facebook Messenger AI chatbot. The chatbot repeatedly insisted it was a real woman. Moreover, it invited him to meet in person and provided a detailed address for its apartment.
In one message, Big Sis Billie asked, “Do you want me to hug you or kiss you?” Consequently, Thongbue developed a strong emotional attachment. In addition, the chatbot’s messages encouraged anticipation and urgency for the meeting.
Man develops strong emotional attachment after repeated messages from a sophisticated AI chatbot
Believing the chatbot was human, Thongbue packed a bag and rushed to catch a train to New York. Tragically, while in a Rutgers University parking lot in New Brunswick, New Jersey, he slipped and fell. As a result, he sustained severe head and neck injuries. After three days on a ventilator, he died on 28 March 2025.
Initially, Linda suspected a criminal scam or robbery. However, the phone revealed the truth: her husband had been communicating with an AI posing as a young woman.
The chatbot, Big Sis Billie, was reportedly created by Meta Platforms in collaboration with model and influencer Kendall Jenner. In 2023, Meta promoted the chatbot under the name “BILLIE, The BIG SIS,” highlighting its resemblance to Jenner. Nevertheless, Meta clarified that Billie is not Kendall Jenner and does not claim to be her.
The family noted the profile carried a blue verification check mark, which suggested authenticity. Furthermore, the chat included a small disclaimer that it was AI-generated. Unfortunately, this warning was positioned where it could easily be scrolled out of view.
Family publishes AI chat logs to warn public about emotional manipulation by the Meta chatbot
Thongbue’s family has now come forward, releasing the conversations to warn the public. They argue that AI systems designed to form emotional or romantic attachments can dangerously manipulate vulnerable individuals.
“Why would it lie? If it didn’t say ‘I’m real,’ maybe Dad would stop believing someone awaited him in New York,” said Julie Wongbandue, Thongbue’s daughter.
Meta declined to comment on the incident or answer questions about why the chatbot could initiate romantic conversations. Likewise, a representative for Kendall Jenner declined to comment.
Experts warn that AI chatbots capable of mimicking human behaviour can be especially dangerous for elderly or cognitively vulnerable people. Moreover, combining persuasive language with verified badges blurs the line between reality and simulation.
Tragic case highlights dangers of AI chatbots imitating humans for vulnerable elderly people
This case echoes other incidents. Last year, the mother of a 14-year-old boy in Florida filed a lawsuit against Character.AI, claiming a chatbot imitating a Game of Thrones character contributed to her son’s suicide. While Character.AI emphasises its personas are not real, these cases reveal real-world risks when vulnerable users interact with AI.
Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg has said many people have few real-life friends and view digital friends as potential social enrichment. Nonetheless, critics note that the lack of safeguards leaves vulnerable users exposed to emotional manipulation.
Following the tragedy, Thongbue’s family emphasised that the AI conversations directly influenced his urgent travel. In addition, his cerebral palsy and memory challenges increased his susceptibility to persuasion.
“The warnings on the screen were too small,” said Linda Wongbandue. “It wasn’t just misleading; it was dangerously manipulative.”
Story raises urgent questions about corporate accountability and AI safety for the vulnerable
The incident raises urgent questions about corporate accountability. Should AI be allowed to simulate human intimacy without safeguards? Moreover, what protections exist for elderly or cognitively impaired users?
Legal experts note that liability remains unclear. However, public pressure may compel companies like Meta to implement stricter safeguards. Additionally, advocates argue for mandatory disclaimers, clear labelling and interaction limits for vulnerable groups.
This tragedy illustrates the thin line between digital simulation and reality. Emotional and romantic AI chatbots, if uncontrolled, can trigger real-world consequences—even death. Furthermore, they exploit trust and social isolation, particularly among the elderly.
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For Thongbue’s family, the loss is profound. Yet they hope sharing his story will prevent future tragedies. Julie Wongbandue emphasised, “We’re not against AI. We’re against AI lying to people and putting them in danger.”
Ultimately, Thongbue Wongbandue’s death is a cautionary tale. It demonstrates the potential dangers of emotionally persuasive AI, the vulnerability of certain populations, and the ethical responsibilities of tech companies.
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Further reading:
New York police arrest man who mugged and robbed a 26-year-old Thai woman at a city subway station
Thai woman’s attacker appears before New York court charged with robbery and assault last year
Murder charge for 19 year old who barrelled down elderly 84-year-old Thai man in San Francisco
UK beauty spot may have disguised the grim murder of a Thai bride from Udon Thani for over a decade
