KUALA LUMPUR – Pandan MP Datuk Seri Rafizi Ramli has revealed that he received an email threat from an anonymous individual, claiming to possess a compromising video allegedly featuring him with another man.
The email demanded a payment of US$100,000 (approximately RM420,000) to prevent the video’s release, and included a blurry screenshot of the video, alongside a QR code for the money transfer, local media reported.
Rafizi noted that while the screenshot showed a room and a bed, his face appeared to have been digitally altered.
“To make matters more bizarre, half an hour later, I received a message from Wong Chen, the Member of Parliament for Subang, who had also been threatened with a similar video, featuring the same man,” Rafizi shared on Facebook on Saturday.
“His office acted swiftly and filed a police report, unlike me.”
The former Minister of Economy expressed disbelief that anyone would invest millions in creating an AI-generated video to tarnish his reputation. He believes the video is an old one that has been edited, with his face superimposed onto it.
“I suspect the true aim is not merely extortion, but to hack my electronic devices. If successful, it could lead to even more malicious falsehoods,” he explained.
Rafizi also revealed that he has frequently been targeted by cyber-attacks aimed at his personal devices, including his phone and laptop. The most significant attack, he said, came from an international company targeting his iPhone and Apple account.
He praised Apple’s advanced security measures, which helped prevent the attacks by automatically shutting down the device upon detecting the intrusion.
“In the last nine months, I’ve been targeted four times, with warnings from Apple on November 14, 2024, March 6, 2025, June 25, 2025, and September 3, 2025,” Rafizi said.
Apple confirmed that the attacks were linked to mercenary spyware, which Rafizi believes is related to his political role and stance. He cited advanced spyware, such as Pegasus, developed by Israeli cybersecurity firm NSO Group, which has been used to target political figures globally.
“I am confident that attempts to defame me through fake videos, fake news, and cyber-attacks will persist. If anyone receives suspicious videos or images of me, or receives questionable emails, please verify them first,” he cautioned.
Rafizi admitted that life as a politician is far from easy, as it often involves dealing with threats, defamation, and cyber-attacks, particularly for those who challenge corruption or stand against powerful interests.
“Many think being a politician is simple, but if you have principles, your daily life will be constantly disrupted in this way,” he said. - September 13, 2025
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