PETALING JAYA: At least 12 lawmakers have so far claimed that they have received e-mails threatening to release a purported lewd video of them, which the authorities have said was generated by AI.
As of press time, those who had received these extortion e-mails are Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil; Deputy Youth and Sports Minister Adam Adli; Deputy Plantation and Commodities Minister Datuk Chan Foong Hin; Pandan MP Datuk Seri Rafizi Ramli; Subang MP Wong Chen; Sungai Petani MP Dr Taufiq Johari; Tasek Gelugor MP Datuk Wan Saiful Wan Jan; Selangor exco members Najwan Halimi and Dr Fahmi Ngah; Senators Manolan Mohamad and Datuk Nelson W. Angang; and Kulim assemblyman Wong Chia Zen.
Writing in Bahasa Malaysia, the sender of the e-mail claims to be a private investigator who was hired for a long term probe to spy on the lawmaker in question.
In the process of the probe, the investigator had allegedly uncovered the lawmaker’s illicit activities and claimed that they are supposed to share this proof with their client.
“But this will have serious consequences for you.
“Upon consideration of your future I have captured this screen shot and sent it to you. You should be grateful,” the email read.
The grey screenshot shows what appears to be two adults lying together in bed.
It is learnt that the lawmaker’s face had been artificially superimposed on one of the adults.
The sender then demanded that the MPs cough up US$100,000 (RM420,500) or the full video will be circulated.
Commenting on the e-mails, Fahmi said that they appear to have come from the same e-mail address and that they were near carbon copies of each other, with almost identical wording and screenshots.
“The screencaps are almost similar and were believed to have been sent from the same e-mail address,” Fahmi said in a Facebook post yesterday, adding that he had also received the e-mail.
The minister said the government is treating the case seriously, with the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission working alongside police to trace the culprits.
He reminded the public that sending intimidating communications is an offence under Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998, which carries a fine of up to RM500,000, two years in jail, or both.
The Penal Code’s Section 503 on criminal intimidation could also apply, he added.
“The Madani government will not compromise with anyone who abuses technology and communication networks to intimidate or deceive the public.
“All efforts will be mobilised to ensure that the perpetrators are brought to justice in order to safeguard the security of society.”
