Extortion letters hit over 70 people in Singapore, including politicians

SINGAPORE: More than 70 individuals, including several politicians, have received extortion letters featuring manipulated images of themselves in inappropriate poses. The Singapore Police Force reported this alarming trend on 19 April, noting that the extortion attempts occurred in March and April.

Victims received the letters at their workplaces, accompanied by threats of releasing the images on social media if demands were not met. One individual, a 50-year-old, already succumbed to the pressure, losing S$20,000.

The extortionists demanded contact through an email address provided in the letters, further threatening the victims with “leaking” the images if they did not comply.

Among those targeted were MPs Dr Vivian Balakrishnan, Dr Tan Wu Meng, and Mr Edward Chia.

Dr Balakrishnan, also Singapore’s Foreign Minister, and his colleagues took to social media on 20 April to condemn these acts, describing them as “deplorable” and contrary to societal values.

The police have highlighted that these manipulations have likely utilized publicly available photos and workplace details, with AI-powered tools enabling the creation of realistic but fake images. This incident underscores the growing threat of “deepfake” technology, which can generate convincing but fraudulent content quickly.

Authorities are advising anyone who receives such manipulated images to stay calm, avoid contacting the sender or paying any ransom, and report the matter immediately. They should also preserve the letter in a separate storage bag for police investigation.

The rise of such high-tech scams, especially involving public figures, reflects broader concerns about the impact of deepfakes on society.

Mr Chia noted the challenges in distinguishing between real and fake content, emphasizing the potential threats to personal and public integrity.

Dr Tan refrained from speculating on the identity or location of the perpetrators but affirmed a strong stance against intimidation and the resolve to uphold their duties without fear.