A disturbing cyber extortion campaign has emerged, targeting at least ten Malaysian politicians including several cabinet members, with threatening emails demanding a ransom of USD100,000 (~RM420,549).
The emails claim to possess fabricated, AI-generated explicit videos and threaten to release them publicly if payment is not made.
Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil, who confirmed he was among those targeted, revealed that the list of victims includes Pandan MP Datuk Seri Rafizi Ramli, Subang MP Wong Chen, Sungai Petani MP Dr Taufiq Johari, and Deputy Youth and Sports Minister Adam Adli.
Others affected include Selangor state executive councillors Najwan Halimi and Dr Fahmi Ngah, Senator Manolan Mohamad, and Kulim assemblyman Wong Chia Zen. Earlier reports also named Deputy Plantation and Commodities Minister Datuk Chan Foong Hin as a victim.
Fahmi Fadzil vows zero tolerance for digital threats
Fahmi stated that the emails bore striking similarities, identical wording, matching screenshots, and appeared to originate from the same Gmail account.
He emphasised the government’s serious stance on the matter and has directed the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission to collaborate with police in tracking down the perpetrators.
Datuk Fahmi Fadzil
He reminded the public that issuing threats via digital communication is a criminal offense under Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act, which carries penalties of up to RM500,000, two years’ imprisonment, or both. The case may also fall under Section 503 of the Penal Code, which outlines similar consequences.
“The Madani government will not tolerate any misuse of technology to intimidate or deceive the public. We will pursue all avenues to bring those responsible to justice,” Fahmi declared in a Facebook post.
Meanwhile, Rafizi disclosed that he received an email featuring a doctored screenshot allegedly showing him in a compromising situation with another man. Wong Chen, who received a similar message, dismissed the threat as “lazy and unprofessional,” noting that the same poorly edited image was used in both cases.
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Also read: Fahmi Fadzil: It Will Soon Be Mandatory to Label All Content Made with AI as ‘AI Generated’
