The use of 'deepfake' technology for online fraud has recently been identified. According to YDH CP Dato' Sri Ramli Mohamed Yoosuf, Director of the Commercial Crime Investigation Department, three police reports have been filed—one each in Kuala Lumpur, Terengganu, and Penang—regarding impersonation fraud involving deepfake technology.

In a case reported in Terengganu, the victim received a call from an unknown number where the caller, whose voice mimicked that of the victim's friend, requested a loan of RM49,800. The victim complied, but later discovered that his friend denied making the request when contacted through the friend's actual phone number.

In all three reported cases, scammers posed as friends of the victims to solicit loans. The Commercial Crime Investigation Department (JSJK) anticipates that fraud syndicates may continue to use these tactics to deceive others.

To protect yourself from such fraud, consider the following preventive measures:

* “Do not fully trust what you see or hear.

* Verify the caller’s identity by contacting them through a phone number saved in your contacts to ensure they are not using a different number.

* Avoid transferring money to suspicious bank accounts, especially if they are registered under different individuals' names.