Associated Incidents
The Royal Brunei Police Force (RBPF) has issued a warning to the public to remain vigilant against deepfake scam videos circulating on social media platforms, including TikTok, Facebook and Instagram, which misuse the likeness of police officers for fraudulent purposes.
In a statement, the Cyber Crime Investigation Division under the Criminal Investigation Department revealed that scammers are now using artificial intelligence (AI) to create manipulated videos and audio that convincingly resemble real police personnel.
These deceptive videos are part of a scam strategy to lure victims into investing in fraudulent investment schemes. One recent example involves multiple deepfake videos posted from a single TikTok account, impersonating a police officer to promote a fake scheme known as "Real Money Magic." The scam falsely claims to help individuals solve financial issues through guaranteed quick profits.
Authorities strongly advised the public not to be easily deceived by content that promises unrealistic financial gains or "get-rich-quick" schemes.
"Scammers often exploit trust and urgency to trick victims into transferring money. The promised returns are never delivered, and by the time victims realise it, their funds are already lost," the statement added.
The division also reminded the public that any investment scheme not approved by the Brunei Darussalam Central Bank (BDCB) or local banks is considered illegal and poses a high financial risk.
Members of the public are urged to report any suspicious content or fraudulent activity to the nearest police station or via the police emergency line at 993. Additionally, if a suspicious transaction has occurred, individuals should immediately notify their bank.