{"id":51856,"date":"2025-08-22T05:07:11","date_gmt":"2025-08-22T09:07:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/newssprinters.com\/index.php\/world\/ai-manipulated-clips-of-malaysian-immigration-officers-lead-to-indonesian-passport-scam\/22\/08\/2025\/"},"modified":"2025-08-22T05:07:11","modified_gmt":"2025-08-22T09:07:11","slug":"ai-manipulated-clips-of-malaysian-immigration-officers-lead-to-indonesian-passport-scam","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/newssprinters.com\/index.php\/world\/ai-manipulated-clips-of-malaysian-immigration-officers-lead-to-indonesian-passport-scam\/22\/08\/2025\/","title":{"rendered":"AI-manipulated clips of Malaysian immigration officers lead to Indonesian passport scam"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>\n<\/p>\n<div data-article-body=\"true\">\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Online scammers in Malaysia have targeted Indonesians looking to apply for immigration documents using AI-manipulated video and imposter WhatsApp accounts of border control officers from both Southeast Asian countries. The accounts dupe users into paying inflated fees for purported passport and visa application services.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">&#8220;I, Jeya, a Malaysian immigration officer from Kuala Lumpur, would like to share with all of you, for those who are looking to make passports, permits, visas and other documents, please send a message to Pak Anton Helistiawan on WhatsApp, God willing, he can help you all,&#8221; says a man dressed in the black uniform of the Malaysian Immigration Department in a <a href=\"https:\/\/perma.cc\/M4ZZ-CPL7\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:TikTok;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \">TikTok <\/a>video on July 17.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Anton Helistiawan is Indonesia&#8217;s former immigration attache to Malaysia. An image of a stack of Indonesian passports is overlaid on the TikTok video.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"relative mb-4\">\n<div class=\"relative\"><button aria-label=\"View larger image\" class=\"group absolute bottom-3 right-3 size-10 md:size-[50px] lg:inset-0 lg:size-full lg:bg-transparent\" data-ylk=\"elm:expand;itc:1;sec:image-lightbox;slk:lightbox-open;\"><span class=\"absolute bottom-0 right-0 rounded-full bg-white p-3 opacity-100 shadow-elevation-3 transition-opacity duration-300 group-hover:block group-hover:opacity-100 md:p-[17px] lg:bottom-6 lg:right-6 lg:bg-white\/90 lg:p-5 lg:opacity-0 lg:shadow-none\"><svg viewbox=\"0 0 22 22\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"size-4 lg:size-6\" width=\"22\" height=\"22\"><path d=\"M12.372.92c0-.506.41-.916.915-.916L21 0l-.004 7.712a.917.917 0 0 1-1.832 0V3.183l-6.827 6.828-1.349-1.348 6.828-6.828h-4.529a.915.915 0 0 1-.915-.915M1.835 17.816l6.828-6.828 1.349 1.349-6.829 6.827h4.529a.915.915 0 0 1 0 1.831L0 21l.004-7.713a.916.916 0 0 1 1.831 0z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/button><dialog aria-label=\"Modal Dialog\" aria-modal=\"true\" class=\"fixed inset-0 z-4 size-full max-h-none max-w-none bg-white hidden\"\/><\/div><figcaption class=\"relative text-sm mt-1 pr-2.5\">\n<p><span>Screenshot of the false TikTok post captured on August 21, 2025, with a red X added by AFP<\/span><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">AFP reached out to the phone number provided in the bio of the account sharing the clip, which led to a WhatsApp account with an image of Anton as its profile picture.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">The purported officer gave an order form asking for personal details, including full name, delivery address and passport photo. They also provided a list of prices for the purported application service ranging from 700 to 900 ringgit ($213).<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">AFP found several TikTok\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/perma.cc\/QJJ6-AL8X\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:accounts;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \">accounts<\/a> masquerading as the <a href=\"https:\/\/perma.cc\/3V3X-3CFA\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:Malaysian;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \">Malaysian<\/a> immigration officer <a href=\"https:\/\/perma.cc\/Q62H-J7WH\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:sharing;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \">sharing<\/a> videos that <a href=\"https:\/\/perma.cc\/VA3F-9EXM\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:mention;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \">mention<\/a> the Indonesian immigration official, Anton. All of the accounts linked to the same WhatsApp phone number.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Similar clips featuring other <a href=\"https:\/\/perma.cc\/2AFQ-2T8P\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:various;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \">various<\/a> immigration <a href=\"https:\/\/perma.cc\/QLW6-3636\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:officers;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \">officers<\/a> repeated the same <a href=\"https:\/\/perma.cc\/J7YH-KYHM\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:claim,;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \">claim,<\/a> urging viewers to reach out to Anton for passport and visa applications.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">However, all the videos contained visual inconsistencies that indicate they had been manipulated using AI tools, such as unnatural blinking and mouth movements, as well as glitches in the audio.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Despite the meteoric progress in AI-manipulation tools, such <a href=\"https:\/\/factcheck.afp.com\/tips-for-identifying-ai-generated-content\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:inconsistencies;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \">inconsistencies<\/a> remain a good way to spot visuals that have been altered using AI.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\"><a href=\"https:\/\/youtu.be\/linGPlWGcDw\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:Reverse image;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \">Reverse image<\/a> and keyword searches found the manipulated clip was first shared as a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.tiktok.com\/@bpjeya\/photo\/7425779217008200968\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:still photo;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \">still photo<\/a> by a TikTok user who goes by @bpjeya on October 15, 2024 (<a href=\"https:\/\/perma.cc\/XPM7-3T9Q\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:archived link;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \">archived link<\/a>).<\/p>\n<figure class=\"relative mb-4\">\n<div class=\"relative\"><img alt=\"&lt;span&gt;Screenshot comparison between the manipulated clip (left) and a genuine image of a TikTok user (right) &lt;\/span&gt;\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"960\" height=\"295\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"1\" class=\"rounded-lg\" style=\"color:transparent\" src=\"https:\/\/s.yimg.com\/ny\/api\/res\/1.2\/dopNsK588HKRIAuY5CUcSQ--\/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTI5NTtjZj13ZWJw\/https:\/\/media.zenfs.com\/en\/afp_factcheck_us_713\/85bf9639bcf336525c949c3080a16818\"\/><button aria-label=\"View larger image\" class=\"group absolute bottom-3 right-3 size-10 md:size-[50px] lg:inset-0 lg:size-full lg:bg-transparent\" data-ylk=\"elm:expand;itc:1;sec:image-lightbox;slk:lightbox-open;\"><span class=\"absolute bottom-0 right-0 rounded-full bg-white p-3 opacity-100 shadow-elevation-3 transition-opacity duration-300 group-hover:block group-hover:opacity-100 md:p-[17px] lg:bottom-6 lg:right-6 lg:bg-white\/90 lg:p-5 lg:opacity-0 lg:shadow-none\"><svg viewbox=\"0 0 22 22\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"size-4 lg:size-6\" width=\"22\" height=\"22\"><path d=\"M12.372.92c0-.506.41-.916.915-.916L21 0l-.004 7.712a.917.917 0 0 1-1.832 0V3.183l-6.827 6.828-1.349-1.348 6.828-6.828h-4.529a.915.915 0 0 1-.915-.915M1.835 17.816l6.828-6.828 1.349 1.349-6.829 6.827h4.529a.915.915 0 0 1 0 1.831L0 21l.004-7.713a.916.916 0 0 1 1.831 0z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/button><dialog aria-label=\"Modal Dialog\" aria-modal=\"true\" class=\"fixed inset-0 z-4 size-full max-h-none max-w-none bg-white hidden\"\/><\/div><figcaption class=\"relative text-sm mt-1 pr-2.5\">\n<p><span>Screenshot comparison between the manipulated clip (left) and a genuine image of a TikTok user (right) <\/span><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Subsequent searches on the account found the user had <a href=\"https:\/\/www.tiktok.com\/@bpjeya\/photo\/7534899267912142088\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:posted;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \">posted<\/a> screenshots of the imposter accounts and labelled them &#8220;fake&#8221; in a post on August 5\u00a0(<a href=\"https:\/\/perma.cc\/SW4Q-VDD8\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:archived link;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \">archived link<\/a>).<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Meanwhile, a spokesperson at the Indonesian embassy in Kuala Lumpur told AFP on August 20 none of its current officers go by the name &#8220;Anton Helistiawan&#8221;.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">&#8220;The scam targets individuals who could not tell if the video is AI-generated or not, and those desperate to have Indonesian passports for the purpose of securing a job in Malaysia,&#8221; he said.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/share\/BAAX0j7Uu8\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:standard price;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \">standard price<\/a> to apply for a passport is up to 100 ringgit, far less than the price quoted to AFP by the purported officer on WhatsApp (<a href=\"https:\/\/perma.cc\/Z69U-EPXE\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:archived link;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \">archived link<\/a>).<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">The spokesperson also said that the only channel for immigration services was via online appointment with the embassy, not communications on personal WhatsApp accounts or with any other third party.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">AFP has repeatedly debunked imposter accounts offering to make <a href=\"https:\/\/factcheck.afp.com\/doc.afp.com.36E39LC\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:academic certificates;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \">academic certificates<\/a> and &#8220;<a href=\"https:\/\/factcheck.afp.com\/doc.afp.com.69T44T3\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:test-free driving licences;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \">test-free driving licences<\/a>&#8220;, as well as deepfake videos of <a href=\"https:\/\/factcheck.afp.com\/doc.afp.com.36Z76PW\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:Indonesian government officials;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \">Indonesian government officials<\/a> offering &#8220;cash aid&#8221; on social media.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><script async src=\"\/\/www.instagram.com\/embed.js\"><\/script><script async src=\"\/\/www.tiktok.com\/embed.js\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.yahoo.com\/news\/articles\/ai-manipulated-clips-malaysian-immigration-080810835.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\">Source link <\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Online scammers in Malaysia have targeted Indonesians looking to apply for immigration documents using AI-manipulated video and imposter WhatsApp accounts of border<br \/><button class=\"read-more\"><a href=\"https:\/\/newssprinters.com\/index.php\/world\/ai-manipulated-clips-of-malaysian-immigration-officers-lead-to-indonesian-passport-scam\/22\/08\/2025\/\">Read More &rsaquo;<\/a><\/button><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":51857,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_seopress_robots_primary_cat":"","_seopress_titles_title":"","_seopress_titles_desc":"","_seopress_robots_index":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/s.yimg.com\/ny\/api\/res\/1.2\/s5u2PRchd_74ZPjKCyjIbA--\/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyMDA7aD03ODE7Y2Y9d2VicA--\/https:\/\/media.zenfs.com\/en\/afp_factcheck_us_713\/ee29c05340fc4816a5d1c25d9eb928e3","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/newssprinters.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/51856"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/newssprinters.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/newssprinters.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newssprinters.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newssprinters.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=51856"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/newssprinters.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/51856\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newssprinters.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/51857"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/newssprinters.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=51856"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newssprinters.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=51856"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newssprinters.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=51856"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}