Bank Negara warns public over deepfake ads impersonating…

Bank Negara Malaysia has issued an urgent warning to the public regarding the circulation of deepfake advertisements that feature the central bank's governor. The institution is urging citizens to exercise extreme caution and to avoid being misled by this fraudulent digital content.

What happened

On August 28, 2026, the central bank identified that malicious actors were utilizing deepfake technology to create advertisements impersonating the Governor of Bank Negara Malaysia. These deceptive videos are being distributed across online platforms to target the public. In response to the threat, the bank published a statement across its social media channels warning users not to be fooled by the manipulated media.

Bank Negara has advised that individuals who encounter suspicious content or have doubts regarding the authenticity of information should verify details directly with official sources. The bank maintains an established communication channel, BNMLINK, specifically for the public to make inquiries and verify official information. This incident is part of an ongoing effort by the central bank to raise awareness regarding scams and to encourage the public to exercise vigilance when interacting with content online.