Former national shuttler, Datuk Lee Chong Wei, has become the latest high-profile figure targeted by fraud syndicates using deepfake videos to promote investment scams. Lee, who has been an outspoken advocate against scams, shared his experience after national badminton player Lai Pei Jing fell victim to an investment scam, losing her life savings.
In response, Lee cautioned Malaysians to be alert when they see his face promoting any products or investments online. He emphasized that any such promotion not posted on his official social media accounts is a fake advertisement. “If you see anything on social media that isn’t on my official accounts, it’s most likely a scam,” he said.
The three-time Olympic silver medalist also advised the public to remain vigilant and skeptical of investment opportunities that seem “too good to be true,” as these are often fraudulent schemes. Lee confirmed that he is collaborating with the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) and the Royal Malaysian Police (PDRM) to fight these scams through public awareness campaigns.
Lee was appointed as one of the 104 key opinion leaders (KOLs) for the Crime Investigation Department’s (CCID) anti-scam initiative in September 2022, playing an active role in educating the public. He expressed frustration at the persistent nature of fraud syndicates, saying, “Even if you shut down 50 syndicates, 100 more will pop up the next day.”
Lee also shared a personal anecdote about how his wife, Datin Wong Mew Choo, almost became a victim of the Macau scam while they were at home. This experience underscores the dangers posed by such frauds, even to those close to well-known figures.
The ongoing battle against fraud requires constant vigilance, and Lee remains committed to working with authorities to help combat these scams and protect the public.
