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Another PKR Member of Parliament has been targeted in a disturbing wave of cyber blackmail involving artificial intelligence-generated pornography
Sungai Petani MP Mohammed Taufiq Johari (pic) confirmed he had received an email on 12 September from an anonymous sender containing a digitally manipulated pornographic video featuring his likeness, along with a demand for US$100,000 (approximately RM420,000) to prevent its dissemination.
"The email contained pornographic content portraying my image, manipulated using AI technology with the clear intent of tarnishing my dignity and integrity," he said in a statement posted on Facebook.
"I wish to emphasise that this threat is a very serious cybercrime."
Taufiq said he has lodged a report with the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) and would also be filing a police report.
"I urge the public to remain cautious about any form of online scams or blackmail," he added. "The spread of such fabricated content not only harms individuals but also threatens public safety at large."
His statement follows similar reports by Pandan MP Datuk Seri Rafizi Ramli and Subang MP Wong Chen, who both revealed they had been sent blackmail emails containing manipulated videos.
Rafizi, a former economy minister, said he received an email with a blurred screenshot from a video allegedly showing him in bed with another man, along with a QR code intended for transferring the ransom.
"The screenshot appears to show a man in a bedroom setting, similar to a previous video. It looks like my face has been inserted into the image," Rafizi said in a social media post.
He believes the video is a recycled and edited version of older material, intended not only for character assassination but also to breach the security of his electronic devices.
"I frequently deal with hacking attempts targeting my phone, laptop and other devices," he said. "The most serious case involved an international firm trying to hack into my iPhone and Apple account. Fortunately, iPhone's security features are robust, and Apple was able to issue immediate shutdown instructions for all connected devices."
The Pandan MP claimed he has been targeted by hackers four times in the last nine months — on 14 November 2024, 6 March, 25 June and most recently on 3 September 2025.
Rafizi also revealed that Wong Chen had contacted him after receiving a nearly identical blackmail attempt, accusing them both of being involved with the same man. Wong has lodged a police report.
Subang Jaya District Police Chief, Assistant Commissioner Wan Azlan Wan Mamat, confirmed that a report has been filed and investigations are underway.
"The case is being investigated under Section 385 of the Penal Code for extortion, and Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998," he said. "Efforts are ongoing to trace the source of the email."
Fourth PKR MP Blackmailed
In a new development, Kota Anggerik Member of Parliament Najwan Halimi has revealed he is the latest PKR lawmaker to be blackmailed over an AI-generated pornographic video, marking the fourth known incident involving Malaysian MPs in recent days.
In a statement issued on Saturday, Najwan said the blackmail attempt closely mirrors earlier cases involving Pandan MP Datuk Seri Rafizi Ramli, Subang MP Wong Chen, and Sungai Petani MP Mohammed Taufiq Johari.
“Two days ago, I received a threatening email from an unknown sender containing a screenshot from a video that had been digitally manipulated using AI to depict my face,” he said.
The email also demanded a ransom of US$100,000 (approximately RM421,000) in exchange for preventing the circulation of the video.
“I wish to emphasise that such threats constitute a serious criminal act aimed at compromising my safety and tarnishing my dignity,” Najwan stated.
He added that he has lodged a report with the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) and will also be filing a police report to ensure a thorough investigation into the matter.
Najwan urged the public to remain cautious in the face of rising cyber threats and misuse of emerging technologies for online fraud and blackmail.
“The circulation of such false and defamatory content not only damages an individual’s reputation but also threatens the safety and harmony of society,” he said.
All four MPs have since lodged or are in the process of lodging official complaints, while investigations into the coordinated cyber extortion attempts are ongoing. - September 14, 2025