Victim Loses S$4.9 Million in Deepfake Scam Impersonating Singapore PM Wong

A victim has lost at least S$4.9 million — approximately RM15.6 million — after falling for a scam that used deepfake technology to impersonate Singapore Prime Minister Lawrence Wong and other government officials during a Zoom video conference. The case, reported on 14 May 2026, represents one of the largest single-victim losses involving deepfake technology in Southeast Asia.

The scam began when the victim received a WhatsApp message bearing the profile photo of Wong Hong Kuan, Secretary to the Cabinet of Singapore, inviting them to a meeting with PM Wong. This was followed by an email from a Proton Mail address requesting "urgent funding assistance relating to the situation at the Strait of Hormuz." The email included a forged government letter bearing PM Wong's signature, guaranteeing reimbursement within 15 business days. Three people have been arrested and charged on 9 May 2026 for suspected SIM card offences related to similar methods.

The incident carries direct implications for Malaysians. If scammers can convincingly impersonate a sitting prime minister, they can just as easily create deepfakes of Malaysian leaders, bank officials, or corporate executives.

The scam unfolded across multiple carefully orchestrated stages. After the initial WhatsApp contact and email, the victim was asked to sign a Non-Disclosure Agreement, creating a false sense of secrecy and legitimacy that discouraged the victim from consulting anyone else.

The victim was then invited to a Zoom video conference that appeared to feature PM Lawrence Wong and other local and overseas government officials. All appearances were created using deepfake AI technology. After the meeting, the victim was contacted via WhatsApp and transferred money through a series of multiple transactions to a corporate bank account supplied by the scammers.

The victim only discovered the deception after independently contacting the actual Wong Hong Kuan. The Singapore Police Force has warned that government officials will never ask the public to transfer funds, disclose bank login details, or participate in virtual meetings about confidential operations. The public can call Singapore's ScamShield helpline at 1799.

Can deepfakes really fool people into losing millions?

Yes. Modern deepfake technology can produce highly convincing video and audio. Combined with social engineering and emotional manipulation, even financially sophisticated individuals have been deceived, as this S$4.9 million case demonstrates.

How do I report a deepfake scam in Malaysia?

Call 997 (NSRC), lodge a police report, report via SemakMule at semakmule.rmp.gov.my.