Johor bahru: Police have received a report regarding the abuse of the image and voice of Johor Women, Family and Community Development Committee chairman, Khairin-Nisa Ismail@Md On, in a suspected scam. Using artificial intelligence (AI), a fake image was used to spread false information regarding Bantuan Kasih Johor (BKJ), believed to be for fraud.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Johor police chief Datuk Ab Rahaman Arsad stated that the police report was filed by the exco, who also serves as the Serom assemblyman. The report was made on February 20. In collaboration with the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC), police detected 12 TikTok accounts involved in these fraudulent activities.
"The initial investigation revealed that these accounts were operating overseas, with some accounts opened since February 9," Ab Rahaman said during a press conference at the Johor police contingent headquarters. The accounts solicited victims to provide information, including bank and telephone numbers, via website links believed to be used for stealing personal information.
Ab Rahaman expressed concern that this BKJ-related fraud might mislead the public into thinking that all citizens are eligible for BKJ when it is meant only for qualified individuals. The authorities are continuing their investigation to identify the real account owners and any parties involved in these fraudulent activities or the dissemination of false information.
The Commercial Crime Investigation Department (CCID) is working with MCMC to ensure the account and associated website are taken down promptly. "We do not rule out the possibility of various accounts being part of a planned modus operandi that uses AI technology to mimic high-profile individuals to gain public trust," he noted.
No victims have been identified, nor have any financial losses been reported thus far. The public is advised to avoid suspicious websites using the state government symbol and to consult reliable official channels. The case is being investigated under Section 420/511 of the Penal Code and Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998.