Over the past six months, Malaysia has witnessed a worrying trend — scammers are now using AI-generated deepfake videos to impersonate public figures and promote fake investment schemes. What once seemed like a distant threat is now a real and rapidly spreading cybercrime problem.
A recent case highlighted by former Pasir Pinji assemblyman Datuk Chan Kam and MCA’s Datuk Seri Michael Chong revealed how these scams operate. Chan deliberately engaged with a fake investment ad online to expose the tactics used. The scam began with a professional-looking video featuring familiar Malaysian personalities — supposedly endorsing an investment opportunity. Once Chan clicked the ad and entered his details, scammers called him directly, guiding him through setting up an “account” and convincing him to transfer money.
Although Chan only transferred RM1,100 for demonstration purposes, he quickly confirmed what cybersecurity experts have been warning: AI deepfakes are the new face of online deception.
How Deepfake Scams Work
Using AI tools, scammers can now create realistic videos and voice clones that mimic politicians, tycoons, and CEOs — including Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, MCA president Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong, and business leaders like Tan Sri Tony Fernandes.
To increase credibility, these fake clips often include logos from trusted media outlets like The Star or NST, making them appear like legitimate news reports.
Once viewers are convinced, they are redirected to “investment” sites or contacted via Facebook, WhatsApp, or Telegram — platforms that accounted for 85% of scams in Malaysia in 2024, with total losses exceeding RM2.11 billion.
The Bigger Cybersecurity Picture
These incidents reflect a broader challenge: AI has lowered the barrier for cybercriminals to launch highly convincing scams. With voice cloning, video synthesis, and data scraping tools widely available, deepfakes can be produced in minutes — and victims can no longer rely on visual cues to detect fraud.
As Datuk Seri Michael Chong pointed out, “It’s ridiculous — our Prime Minister doesn’t even have an Indian accent.” Yet thousands still fall for these videos because they trust what they see online.
Our View: Awareness Is Now a Cyber Defence Tool
Technology alone cannot stop this. Public awareness must evolve as fast as AI.
Every Malaysian should treat viral investment videos and too-good-to-be-true opportunities with extreme caution.
Before engaging or investing, verify information through official websites, known media outlets, and direct contact with the organisation involved.
At Condition Zebra, we believe cybersecurity begins with critical thinking. When scammers use AI to imitate trust, your strongest defence is awareness and expertise.
That’s where we come in.
Our cybersecurity solutions help organizations identify risks, detect threats in real time, and build a stronger security culture through:
- Vulnerability Assessment & Penetration Testing (VAPT)
- Managed Detection & Response (MDR)
- Security Awareness Training
- Cybersecurity Training Programs
🛡️ Stay one step ahead of cyber threats.
Contact us today for a free consultation with our Cybersecurity Experts.
Source:
Going deep to study scammers using AI deepfake videos
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