Teo Warns Public Against AI-Generated Sympathy Scams Exploiting Online Donation Appeals

KULAI, Nov 2 – Deputy Communications Minister Teo Nie Ching has called on social media users to elevate their digital literacy and maintain high vigilance against sophisticated “sympathy scams” utilizing artificial intelligence (AI) technology.

Speaking to reporters during an official visit to SJKT Ladang Kulai Besar in Kulai, Johor, on Monday, November 2, 2026, Teo warned that fraudsters are increasingly leveraging AI tools to generate emotional, distress-focused visual content alongside QR codes linked to personal bank accounts to execute bogus donation drives.

“Netizens must be digitally literate, exercise caution and always verify information before making donations,” Teo stated. “Do not allow irresponsible parties to exploit our soft spot or compassion.”

Teo highlighted that scammers are unethically appropriating individual photos and identities without authorization. Victims whose photos or names are misused are advised to lodge immediate police reports to enable law enforcement to trace the associated bank account holders.

Data from the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) reveals a steep rise in scam-related digital enforcement. As of October 15, 2026, MCMC submitted 174,099 take-down requests to social media platforms—a sharp increase from 102,113 total requests across 2025. Platforms complied by removing 170,633 posts, representing a 98% compliance rate.

During her visit, Teo also disclosed that RM150,000 from the Malaysian Indian Community Transformation Unit (MITRA) was allocated to equip Kulai Tamil primary schools with five 86-inch interactive smartboards. SJKT Kulai Besar received two smartboards, while SJKT Ladang Kelan, SJKT Ladang Kulai Oil Palm, and SJKT Sedenak received one each.

Additionally, Teo inspected construction progress on a RM4.3 million three-storey academic block at SJKT Kulai Besar, funded by the Education Ministry and scheduled for completion by June 2027.

Enforcement Statistics, Scam Tactics, and District Allocations

Key MCMC metrics, sympathy scam mechanics, and school allocations include:

• MCMC Take-Down Enforcement: 174,099 total removal requests issued as of Oct 15, 2026 (vs. 102,113 in 2025); 170,633 scam posts successfully removed (98% compliance).
• Sympathy Scam Modus Operandi: AI-generated imagery depicting distress paired with fraudulent QR payment codes to collect fake donations.
• Victim & Public Directives: Victims urged to file police reports to track fraudulent bank account holders; public asked to report suspicious posts directly to MCMC.
• MITRA School Aid & Infra: RM150K MITRA allocation for 5 interactive smartboards across four Kulai Tamil schools, alongside inspection of a RM4.3 million block at SJKT Kulai Besar due June 2027.

–NMT