Communications Ministry urges vigilance as scammers misuse AI to fake donation drives

KULAI: Social media users are urged to enhance their digital literacy and remain vigilant against the latest “sympathy scam”, a fraudulent scheme that is becoming increasingly sophisticated by exploiting artificial intelligence (AI) technology.

Deputy Minister of Communications Teo Nie Ching said unscrupulous individuals are misusing AI advances to manipulate distressing situations and elicit public sympathy to run fake donation drives.

As such, she urged social media users to verify the authenticity of such appeals before making contributions, warning that fraudsters were taking advantage of Malaysians’ generosity.