Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil (right) is the latest lawmaker to receive a lewd AI video blackmail email. — Bernama pic

NIBONG TEBAL, Sept 15 — The Communications Ministry will seek Google’s assistance to investigate lewd video email threats recently targeting several elected representatives.

Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil said the emails are believed to have been sent by the same individual.

“In fact, just a few hours ago, I was informed that I, too, had received such an email two days ago. The wording was the same, and the images were almost similar. This suggests they were likely sent by the same individual.

“We will therefore request Google’s help to identify the party responsible for creating and sending these emails, and await their response,” he told reporters after officiating the Bersama Aktifkan Kesukarelawanan Teras Inspirasi (Bakti) Komuniti Madani programme at Dataran Kuala Haji Ibrahim here yesterday.

Also present were Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek, Communications Ministry secretary-general Datuk Seri Mohamad Fauzi Md Isa and Information Department director-general Julina Johan.

Fahmi said he has also instructed the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) to strengthen its digital forensic facilities to verify content that may have been produced using artificial intelligence (AI).

“We have found that a significant number of people have received such email threats, and it is highly possible that the scammer obtained the official email addresses of all male elected representatives from the Parliament and State Assembly websites,” he said.

Earlier in a Facebook post, Fahmi disclosed he was among the victims, along with eight other representatives, including Pandan MP Datuk Seri Rafizi Ramli, Deputy Youth and Sports Minister Adam Adli Abd Halim, Kulim assemblyman Wong Chia Zen and Subang MP Wong Chen.

He stressed that such acts constitute an offence under Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998, and may also be investigated under Section 503 of the Penal Code. — Bernama

Pay up or lewd videos go out: Police, MCMC on the case after Malaysian MPs, senators hit by AI blackmail scam

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 15 — Four police reports were lodged by several MPs, Dewan Negara members and state assemblymen over blackmail attempts using fake artificial intelligence (AI) generated video.

Bukit Aman Criminal Investigation Department director Datuk M Kumar said the first attempt was reported by Subang MP Wong Chen on Sept 12 after he received an anonymous email demanding a payment of 100,000 USDT (Tether stablecoin cryptocurrency).

“If the demand was unmet in three days, a fake lewd video using his face would be spread on social media,” he said in a statement yesterday. 

Dewan Negara member, Senator Datuk Nelson W Angang, Kulim assemblyman Wong Chia Zhen and Sungai Petani MP Dr Mohammed Taufiq Johari subsequently lodged reports, all of which indicated they received a similar blackmail demand.

“All reports regarding the blackmail attempts are being investigated under Section 385 of the Penal Code for blackmail, and Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 on the improper use of network facilities or services,” he added.

Kumar said the police are working with the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) to track down the sender of the emails and other relevant information for further investigation.

“PDRM is warning any party involved in producing, spreading or using such materials that stern legal action will be taken without compromise.

“PDRM will not compromise with any party trying to disrupt the safety, public order and harmony of the country,” he added.

Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil said today that the government viewed these incidents seriously and has instructed the MCMC to work closely with the police to track down the criminals responsible for the email threats via the Gmail app.

Fahmi stressed that the Madani Government would not compromise with any party abusing technology and the communications network to blackmail or deceive the public.

He added that the elected officials who have received the emails so far were Wong Chen; Mohammed Taufiq; Adam Adli (Deputy Youth and Sports Minister); Najwan Halimi (Selangor Youth, Sports and Entrepreneurship Committee chairman); Senator Manolan Mohamad; Wong Chia Zhen (Kulim assemblyman); and Dr Mohammad Fahmi Ngah (Islamic Religious Affairs and Cultural Innovation Committee chairman). — Bernama