Police warn of rising cases where manipulated intimate images are used to extort victims.

The police issued an advisory on April 14 after multiple reports of harassment emails using digitally altered images to blackmail recipients, urging calm, non-payment and prompt reporting.

Incidents Reported
Since March 2026 police have recorded about three cases in which victims received work emails containing manipulated images made to appear sexual, accompanied by threats to publish the material unless paid.

Blackmail Modus Operandi
Senders claim to have compromising content and demand payment or response, warning they will distribute images to workplaces and online if victims do not comply.

Advice To Victims
Authorities advise recipients to stay calm, avoid contacting senders or making fiat or cryptocurrency payments, preserve the email evidence and report immediately to the police.

Source Of Images And Tools
Police warn many images and email addresses are likely harvested from public online sources and manipulated using accessible AI tools and chatbots, creating unique risks for non-consensual image generation.

Regulatory And Oversight Response
Officials, including the Ministry of Digital Development and Information, are engaging platforms and studying safeguards for AI chatbots after related incidents were raised during the March Committee of Supply debate.

The emergence of deepfake-based harassment highlights urgent online-safety and enforcement needs across the region; Indonesians and Singaporeans should strengthen digital literacy, report extortion attempts promptly, and support platform accountability and cross-border cooperation to deter syndicates and protect vulnerable users.

Sources: Asia One (2026)

Keywords: Deepfake Emails, Digital Harassment, Online Extortion, Police Advisory, AI Risks