PETALING JAYA: A growing number of Malaysian lawmakers have become targets of cybercriminals who are using AI generated lewd videos to demand large sums of money from them.
In recent cases, Sungai Petani MP Dr Mohammed Taufiq Johari and Kota Anggerik assemblyman Mohd Najwan Halimi revealed they received threatening emails with doctored images and ransom demands.
Dr Taufiq said he was sent an email on Friday (Sept 12) from an unknown account, which included a fabricated video and a demand for US$100,000 (about RM470,000) to prevent its release.
He has lodged a report with the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) and plans to file a police report for a full investigation.
Najwan, who is also Selangor’s youth, sports and entrepreneurship committee chairman, said he also received a similar threat by email, along with a screenshot of a fake video resembling his face. The blackmailers demanded the same amount in ransom. He has reported the matter to both the MCMC and police.
The pair joins Pandan MP Datuk Seri Rafizi Ramli, Subang MP Wong Chen and Kota Kinabalu MP Chan Foong Hin, all of whom have received similar emails.
Rafizi said he was sent screenshots of a fake video and a QR code for the payment transfer. Chan’s office also lodged a report with MCMC after receiving a blackmail email.
Wong said that he felt less safe as a legislator now, compared to his time during previous governments as an Opposition MP.
"The fact that this blackmail attempt was so fake and so badly executed, worries me more," he said.
Meanwhile, Tasek Gelugor MP Datuk Wan Saiful Wan Jan said he had also been targeted by the lewd AI video.
However, in a Facebook post Sunday, he said that he was initially unaware of it as it had entered his Spam folder.
He said he would refer to the authorities to determine whether he should make an official report.
Bangi MP Syahredzan Johan also said he had received the email containing the blackmail attempt, but only discovered it on checking his Spam folder.
"I am not sure whether this threat is a genuine attempt or not, but what is certain is that many have already accepted it.
"I am confident that the authorities, especially the MCMC, will investigate this matter and leave it entirely to them," he said in his post.
The scam appears to follow the same method: using AI to manipulate videos, attaching doctored screenshots in emails, and demanding hefty payments to keep the fabricated material from spreading online.
All the affected lawmakers have refused to pay and instead lodged reports with the authorities.
