'Deepfake extortion plot could've destabilised Singapore’s politics ahead of elections'

Experts suggest the recent deepfake extortion plot in Singapore could have been driven by motivations beyond just financial gain, with the perpetrators possibly seeking to destabilize the country’s political system.

With the general election approaching, the extortionists may have believed that Cabinet ministers, who were among the victims, would be more willing to pay in order to protect their reputations.

On November 28, Singapore's Ministry of Digital Development and Information (MDDI) revealed that over 100 public servants from more than 30 government bodies, including high-ranking ministers, had received extortion emails.

These messages contained manipulated images, using publicly available pictures of the recipients’ faces superimposed on compromising and obscene screenshots. The attackers allegedly aimed to extort money from these individuals by threatening to release the fabricated images.

Associate Professor Hannah Yee-Fen Lim from Nanyang Technological University noted that both Singapore and Hong Kong, which also experienced similar attacks, share a reputation for social trust.

The perpetrators may have been exploiting this to manipulate victims into paying more easily.

S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies (RSIS) research fellow Muhammad Faizal Abdul Rahman warned that the extortion plot could be part of a broader effort to fuel political disinformation, particularly as the general election looms.

He emphasised that the perpetrators might have assumed that ministers and public servants would be more likely to pay to avoid embarrassment and reputational damage.

Experts also highlighted the potential for such AI-driven tactics to be used by geopolitical actors or cybercriminals with ulterior motives, such as destabilizing societies or manipulating public opinion, rather than seeking direct financial profit.

Benjamin Ang, head of RSIS’ Centre of Excellence for National Security, emphasized the deeply personal nature of extortion, noting that even though the images were fake, the threat of having them released could cause significant emotional distress.

The plot illustrates the risks posed by large-scale, technology-assisted crimes that could destabilize social harmony and political stability in Singapore.

However, Ang also pointed out that two similar incidents in Singapore and Hong Kong do not necessarily suggest foreign involvement at this point.

Authorities are hopeful that the digital nature of the crimes, carried out through email, will allow them to track down the perpetrators. Assocate Profressor. Lim speculated that the perpetrators may not have been as technically sophisticated as those involved in previous deepfake extortion plots.

In an earlier case in April, MPs received manipulated photos via physical mail.

Despite the rise in such cybercrimes, experts agree that it is nearly impossible to fully remove people’s contact information from the internet, as the digital world has become essential for communication and accountability, particularly for public figures.

The incident also highlights the dark side of democratized AI tools. Faizal noted that while AI technology offers many benefits, it also enables hostile actors to manipulate images for malicious purposes, making it difficult to put the “genie back in the bottle.”

While it is too early to confirm any foreign involvement in this case, the increasing use of AI to spread misinformation raises significant concerns about the potential for widespread disruption in both politics and public trust.