Latest news with #PublicServicesandComplaintsDepartment
New Straits Times
10-07-2025
- Business
- New Straits Times
Scammers use AI-generated video of King in fraud scheme
KUALA LUMPUR: A video using artificial intelligence (AI) to create a hyper-realistic portrayal of Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia, has surfaced on social media to lure people into fraudulent investment schemes. Set against a newsroom backdrop, the video appears convincing, as the host introduces the guest as "Ibrahim Iskandar of Johor". With the opening remark "a real chance to change lives", the guest claims that one can earn up to RM85,000 from an investment of RM1,000. He said that investments through the 'government-approved platform' can be made using a phone, tablet or laptop by predicting market movements to generate a stable income. He said a group of volunteers had earned RM75,000 each in the first month of investing through the platform. "I say this with complete confidence, if you don't make at least RM75,000 in your first month, I will personally refund your RM1,000. "As of today, 100 per cent of participants have made a profit," he said, adding that no special knowledge is required. To sign up, investors only need to visit the website, fill in their details, and a personal consultant would then contact them with further instructions, the guest added. The New Straits Times has reached out to police for comment. MCA's Public Services and Complaints Department head Datuk Seri Michael Chong has warned the public against such tactics, which use deepfake videos featuring prominent figures, including Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, tycoon Tan Sri Robert Kuok, former chief justice Tun Tengku Maimun Tuan Mat, and Capital A Bhd chief executive officer Tan Sri Tony Fernandes, to promote fake investment and get-rich-quick schemes. He said many victims had been convinced to invest after watching fake promotional videos that appeared to show genuine endorsements from these individuals.
New Straits Times
05-07-2025
- Business
- New Straits Times
AI deepfakes of PM, tycoons used in scams
KUALA LUMPUR: Scammers are using artificial intelligence (AI) to create hyper-realistic videos featuring politicians, business moguls, and celebrities. These videos are used to lure unsuspecting people into fraudulent investment schemes. MCA's Public Services and Complaints Department head Datuk Seri Michael Chong said today that RM2.11 billion was lost to these scams last year. A total of 13,956 cases were reported. These AI-generated deepfake videos often depict influential figures — including Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, tycoon Tan Sri Robert Kuok, former chief justice Tun Tengku Maimun Tuan Mat and Capital A Bhd chief executive officer Tan Sri Tony Fernandes — promoting fake investment and get-rich-quick schemes. "The AI-generated videos look so real that people can't tell the difference. Anyone watching would think it is the prime minister himself asking the public to invest, unaware that it's an AI-generated fake." Chong said this at Wisma MCA. He said 85 per cent of victims were convinced to invest after watching fake promotional videos featuring seemingly genuine endorsements from public figures. "If not for the Tamil accent in one of the videos, I too might have believed it was real," he said. This, he added, highlights just how convincing the content can be. "These videos have become rampant over the past four to five months, spreading through Facebook, WhatsApp and Telegram — making them easily accessible." He said that while authorities such as the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission are removing flagged content, scammers continue to stay one step ahead. "They're smarter. The moment one video is taken down, they generate a new one and continue to deceive people." To illustrate how easily victims are ensnared, he and several MCA members conducted a simple sting operation. They pooled RM1,100 and responded to a link beneath one of the scam videos. "Within minutes, a scammer contacted our team member to explain the 'investment' and its returns. "He played along and invested RM1,100. He was promised a return of RM5,000 the following week. 'The next day, they demanded another US$250 as a processing fee. At that point, we confirmed it was a scam and stopped engaging." While it is difficult to prevent scammers from using technology in increasingly creative ways, he said public awareness remains the strongest defence. "We must flag and tag such videos as fake whenever they appear on our feed. "This way, the next person who sees it might think twice before falling for the scam." He said social media platforms should strengthen detection mechanisms and called on authorities to tighten legislation against the misuse of AI-generated media.
The Sun
14-05-2025
- The Sun
Man in early 20s owes 14 loan sharks for failed Labubu toy business
PETALING JAYA: A 23-year-old man who ventured into selling trendy collectible items became knee deep in debt, owing 14 loan sharks after losing RM10,000 from his failed venture. China Press reported that the man, identified as Chen, borrowed nearly RM30,000 as a bid to offset the RM10,000 loss. He reportedly rode on the hype selling popular collectibles such as Labubu dolls and Pokemon cards, pre-purchasing large quantities but encountered a price volatility, resulting in the losses. 'I didn't want my family to know, so I turned to social media to look for a way out. I ended up borrowing nearly RM30,000 from 14 loan sharks. 'The more I borrowed, the deeper the hole became. Eventually, I had no choice but to tell my family, and they helped repay most of the debt,' Chen said. His parents helped settle RM49,000, paying back 12 loan sharks but the remaining two, who lent him RM1,000 in cash in total, allegedly demanded Chen to repay RM15,000 and RM29,000 respectively. Not only that, the two loan sharks publicly shamed Chen by putting up posters around his neighbourhood and threatened to splash red paint. Facing yet another challenging situation, Chen sought the assistance of the head of the Malaysian Chinese Association's Public Services and Complaints Department Datuk Seri Michael Chong. Chong also stated that Chen's case involved criminal syndicates adopting the style of intimidation tactics from loan sharks for financial extortion.
The Sun
14-05-2025
- The Sun
Man owes 14 loan sharks after Labubu business fails
PETALING JAYA: A 23-year-old man who ventured into selling trendy collectible items became knee deep in debt, owing 14 loan sharks after losing RM10,000 from his failed venture. China Press reported that the man, identified as Chen, borrowed nearly RM30,000 as a bid to offset the RM10,000 loss. He reportedly rode on the hype selling popular collectibles such as Labubu dolls and Pokemon cards, pre-purchasing large quantities but encountered a price volatility, resulting in the losses. 'I didn't want my family to know, so I turned to social media to look for a way out. I ended up borrowing nearly RM30,000 from 14 loan sharks. 'The more I borrowed, the deeper the hole became. Eventually, I had no choice but to tell my family, and they helped repay most of the debt,' Chen said. His parents helped settle RM49,000, paying back 12 loan sharks but the remaining two, who lent him RM1,000 in cash in total, allegedly demanded Chen to repay RM15,000 and RM29,000 respectively. Not only that, the two loan sharks publicly shamed Chen by putting up posters around his neighbourhood and threatened to splash red paint. Facing yet another challenging situation, Chen sought the assistance of the head of the Malaysian Chinese Association's Public Services and Complaints Department Datuk Seri Michael Chong. Chong also stated that Chen's case involved criminal syndicates adopting the style of intimidation tactics from loan sharks for financial extortion. Chen and his family have lodged police reports in Melaka and Kajang.
