Everything you need to know About the PKR ‘sex scandal’ deepfake blackmail
Attackers demanded US$100,000 in cryptocurrency or via QR-code payment to stop the clips from being released online.
SHAH ALAM - A wave of blackmail attempts using AI-manipulated sexual material has targeted several Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) lawmakers this week.
Attackers demanded a total of US$100,000 (RM470,000) in cryptocurrency or via QR-code payment to stop the clips from being released online.
Pandan MP Datuk Seri Rafizi Ramli, Subang MP Wong Chen, Sungai Petani MP Mohammed Taufiq Johari, Kota Kinabalu MP Chan Foong Hin and Selangor assemblyman Najwan Halimi are among those who confirmed receiving anonymous emails containing blurred screenshots or short clips claiming to show them in intimate acts.
The messages used near-identical wording and payment instructions, suggesting a coordinated campaign or copycat operation.
Police Reports and Investigation
Inspector-General of Police Datuk Seri Mohd Khalid Ismail said on Wednesday that police have received 10 reports linked to the threats, but only four formal complaints were lodged.
"It's still under investigation, because with issues like this, sometimes certain parties take advantage of it to make threats against people for financial purposes and so on.
"We have received 10 cases related to cyber threats but only four police reports have been lodged. We are investigating and will inform the relevant parties of any developments," he was reported saying.
Bukit Aman’s Criminal Investigation Department confirmed that reports filed by Subang MP Wong Chen, Senator Nelson W. Angang, Kulim assemblyman Wong Chia Zen and Sungai Petani MP Taufiq Johari are under active investigation.
The cases are being probed under Section 385 of the Penal Code (extortion) and Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 (improper use of network facilities). Convictions could carry substantial jail terms and fines.
Rafizi: “It Looks Like My Face Is There”
Rafizi, who resigned as Economy Minister in June, said he received an email last Friday showing a low-quality screenshot and a QR code for payment.
"They sent a screenshot of the video and even included a QR code supposedly for transferring the money. The screenshot shows a man in bed in a blurry setting similar to a previous video. It looks like my face is there,” he said in a social media post.
Authorities Trace Senders
Police are working with the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) to trace the senders and digital evidence.
Communications Minister Datuk Seri Fahmi Fadzil confirmed multiple lawmakers were targeted and said his ministry has asked Google and other platforms to help track the origin of the Gmail accounts used.
He also warned the public not to click suspicious links or scan QR codes, which could be malware or part of wider hacking attempts.
Not the First Scandal for PKR
This is not the first time sex allegations have rocked PKR and Malaysia’s political scene.
The party previously endured one of its most damaging episodes in 2019, when explicit clips said to feature then-deputy president Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali circulated online.
Azmin denied the allegations, calling it a political conspiracy but the scandal deepened factional rifts within PKR, paving the way for the 2020 “Sheraton Move,” when Azmin and several MPs defected to Bersatu and aligned with opposition leaders.
The move toppled the Pakatan Harapan government less than two years after its 2018 election victory.
Then-prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad resigned after just 22 months in office.
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