Malaysian PMs Targeted in AI Deepfake Crypto Blackmail Scheme—Threat Actors Demand Digital Ransom

AI-Generated Deepfakes Hold Malaysian Leadership Hostage—Cryptocurrency Ransom Demanded

The Digital Shakedown

Threat actors weaponize AI deepfake technology to target high-profile Malaysian politicians. They demand cryptocurrency payments—untraceable, irreversible, and perfectly suited for modern extortion.

Why Crypto? Blame the ‘Privacy Features’

Digital assets provide the perfect vehicle for anonymous ransom demands. No middlemen, no banks asking awkward questions—just pure, unregulated value transfer. It’s almost like someone designed this stuff for illicit activity…

The New Face of Political Corruption

Deepfakes bypass traditional verification—no need for compromising real photos when AI generates whatever lies you want. Combine that with crypto’s pseudo-anonymity, and you’ve got a risk cocktail that’s shaking governments.

Finance’s Ironic Twist

While crypto bros cheer another ATH, the same technology fuels a blackmail economy—proving once again that where there’s money to be made, ethics tend to get ‘disrupted’.

Malaysian PMs blackmail with AI-generated images

Wong mentioned that after the message was discovered, they took careful steps not to interact with the email. “My officer did not click on any links or scan the QR code. We immediately reported the matter to the Subang police, who promptly assigned an inspector to investigate,” he said. According to Wong, he later discovered that Rafizi had also received an identical email on the same day.

The Malaysian MP claimed that the emails were the same, with the same words and a photo showing Rafizi in a compromising position. “Other than our faces, both photos are exactly identical, from the fold of the pillows and blanket, to the room, the bed, and the naked person in the photo,” he said. He also rubbished claims on the internet that his phone had been hacked, urging the public to stop sharing rumors.

Wong also said that he has left the issue to the police as they are expected to provide timely updates as investigations proceed. The Malaysian MP also said he has sought assistance from IT and cryptocurrency experts to help him trace the blackmailer. He added that he may also raise the matter with Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) and the Securities Commission to track the account.

MPs promise to reveal the identity of the perpetrators

The Malaysian MP, who is serving his third term, said this is not the first time that unscrupulous elements have made such attempts against him. He noted that if the perpetrators are not caught and things like this are allowed to continue, it may become a part of a broader effort to intimidate lawmakers. In addition, Wong also said he will not allow the incident to dissuade him from carrying out the job he was elected to do.

“I echo Rafizi’s concerns that these attacks may be more sinister, possibly aimed at accessing our devices or undermining parliamentary democracy,” he said. “I will not retreat and will continue to discharge my duties without fear or favour.”

Meanwhile, Rafizi, who has served as an economy minister in Malaysia, also confirmed yesterday that he had received the same blackmail message. He said he has faced four hack attempts in the last nine months.

In another separate statement today, Taufiq mentioned that he had been targeted by the scammers who are circulating AI-generated pornographic content of someone who shares a likeness with him in exchange for money in digital assets. He noted that he has since involved the police, filed a police report, and urged them to work on it swiftly. He also encouraged the public to remain vigilant and not give in to threats and blackmail.

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