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Thursday, December 7, 2023

Beware of AI-driven crimes

 


KUALA LUMPUR: When one speaks about Artificial Intelligence (AI), the first thing that comes to mind might be the T-800 terminator that was sent from the future to eliminate John Connor from the timeline in the 1984 movie The Terminator.

Since then, other movies and series have also depicted the potential use of AI in analysing human behaviour in a bid to predict and stop crimes from occurring.

The year is now 2023, however, and with the latest developments in technology, the threat of AI being used for more sinister reasons is already at our doorstep.

ALSO READ : Police gearing up to combat AI-based crime

Deepfakes, voice spoofing and financial market manipulation could all become the future of crime when syndicates start using AI in their operations.

Recently, a deepfake video of a Malaysian leader promoting a get-rich-quick scheme has been circulating on social media.

Federal Commercial Crime Investigation Department (CCID) director Comm Datuk Seri Ramli Mohamed Yoosuf said the video is a prime example of how AI could be misused.

“The promises made in that video are too good to be true, which means it is most definitely an investment scam and there is no way that a political leader would promote such a thing. It is absurd.

“While the video here is about gaining quick wealth, there are other aspects that can similarly be manipulated, especially in politics and social engineering.

ALSO READ : HK cops encounter fraud syndicate that used AI-generated images

“AI is already here and because of this, it is important not only for the police but also the public to be aware of the potential risks AI could pose in the near future.

“Today’s world has shown how AI is increasingly taking over tasks and roles previously done by humans.

“While some of us might know about the advancements in this field, others might still be unaware of the potential risks that follow the swift advancements made in AI,” he told The Star recently.

Comm Ramli said that based on current predictions, AI could be used by syndicates in their illicit activities against Malaysians by as early as the middle of 2024.

“Once this occurs, everything in the financial sector, every service that has gone online, could face the risk of being infiltrated.

“AI could be used in the creation of algorithms that are capable of hacking computer systems, while other algorithms could also be used to analyse data and manipulate results which gives it the potential to be used to influence or cripple financial markets,” he said.

He added that AI could also be used in advanced video and audio manipulation that can lead to potential identity theft and the creation of deepfake videos.

“In this scenario, the possibilities are limitless as crime syndicates could use deepfake images, videos or voices to dupe people and organisations.

“They could use such deepfakes in bogus kidnap-for-ransom cases, where they trick families into believing they have kidnapped a loved one, while some could even use it to create lewd or pornographic images of victims that could in turn be used to blackmail them,” he said.

He also added that through the creation of convincing false identities through photographs or videos, syndicates could even pose as a person to ask for money or even trick victims into thinking that one of their family members is in danger.

Comm Ramli explained that deepfakes could even be used in spreading propaganda and fake news which could lead to public anxiety.

“There are indicators that AI could be used to perpetrate economic crimes.

“AI scientists are also talking about quantum computing that will enable decryption, which in turn could render all binary encryption technology that is currently in place useless.

“We have been keeping up with the latest news on the use of AI in crime in the region and are aware of an instance in Hong Kong earlier this year where a syndicate allegedly used AI deepfake technology in the application of loans,” he said.

Media in Hong Kong reported on Aug 25 that police there uncovered a syndicate which used eight stolen identity cards to make 90 loan applications and 54 bank account registrations.

In what was considered the first case of its kind there, deepfake methods were used at least 20 times to imitate those pictured in the identity cards and trick facial recognition programmes.

Six people were arrested in connection with the case.

Comm Ramli said that while there have not been any reported commercial cases involving the direct use of AI so far, that does not mean that it will not become a problem in future.

“This is why the public needs to be prepared and be in the know of such things.

“The best weapons the public will have against AI are knowledge and awareness.

“If the public in general are aware of how AI can be used, they will be extra cautious and not be easily duped by syndicates employing such tactics,” he said.

It is important to note that conventional online scams such as love scams, parcel scams and Macau scams are committed by real-life people without the use of AI.

In such scams, a person is directly involved in posing as a law enforcement officer, courier service provider or even a potential lover either through phone call, email or via social media.

Chinese private rocket firm Galactic Energy firstly sends two satellites into dawn-dusk orbit; China is a safe country

 

Chinese private rocket firm Galactic Energy firstly sends two satellites into dawn-dusk orbit

Chinese carrier rocket developer Galactic Energy completed its most recent launch mission, sending two satellites to dawn-dusk orbit on Tuesday, which was Chinese private carrier rock


Galactic Energy's CERES-1 Y9 carrier rocket at Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in Northwest China's Gansu Province on November 5, 2023 Photo: Wang Heng

Galactic Energy's CERES-1 Y9 carrier rocket at Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in Northwest China's Gansu Province on November 5, 2023 Photo: Wang Heng


Beijing-based private carrier rocket developer Galactic Energy said it had completed its most recent launch mission on Tuesday, sending two satellites into the twilight orbit, the company's first such launch.

CERES-1 Y9, Galactic Energy's self-developed carrier rocket, blasted off at 7:33 am from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in Northwest China's Gansu Province carrying two satellites, TIANYAN 16 and STARPOOL 1A, delivering them into the planned twilight orbit at an altitude of 500 kilometers.

The twilight orbit is a special sun-synchronous orbit that allows satellites to realize continuous solar power supply.

The launch was Galactic Energy's 10th successful launch mission by the CERES series carrier rocket. Galactic Energy has launched 35 commercial satellites of various types for 16 clients, said the company.

The CERES-1 is a small-scale solid-propellant carrier rocket designed to send micro-satellites into low-Earth orbit. It's 1.4 meters in diameter and has a total length of about 20 meters and a takeoff weight of 33 tons. It can carry a payload of up to 300 kilograms into a sun-synchronous orbit at an altitude of 500 kilometers.

TIANYAN-16 was developed by Gengyumuxing Space Technology Co, a Chinese company, and it will be used in meteorological environment detection. STARPOOL-1A was developed by the Elipspace Technology Co, which belonged to the company's "Star Pool Project" made up of more than 100 satellites, and will be used in the sectors of energy infrastructure inspection, carbon emissions, disaster response and environmental detection.

In September, a launch by Galactic Energy's CERES-1 rocket failed to reach orbit. The company vowed to review its experience and better contribute to China's commercial aerospace industry.

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Tuesday, December 5, 2023

Landlords and tenants must take care of their rental properties

The Responsibilities Of A Tenant And A Landlord




I REFER to the report “Zero mercy for landlords” (The Star, Dec 1). Kudos to Local Government Development Minister Nga Kor Ming for his determination to put a stop to “birdcage” and “gravelike” rooms for rent, which he described as “the size of graves, with room just enough for a coffin. This is inhumane and unreasonable.”

The situation clearly demonstrates the extent greedy people would go for money.

I am sure there are many other things unscrupulous people would do for monetary gains.

In this connection, I would like to highlight the quandary that residents of SS4C in Petaling Jaya are facing over a negligent landlord and his irresponsible tenant.

The house is in an area inhabited by respectable senior residents, and I, unfortunately, am living near it. A few years ago, the owner moved to Seremban and rented out the house to a man who used it as accommodation for his foreign workers.

It looks like the owner is only interested in collecting rent while the tenant just wants to use the house for his own purposes because there has been no attempt to maintain it since it was rented out.

Over the years, the compound has been turned into a big rubbish dump infested by flies, rats, snakes and monitor lizards.

Trucks are repaired on a regular basis there, and old tyres and vehicle parts are just discarded in the compound.

The house is now in shambles and sticks out like a sore thumb in the neighbourhood.

After complaints were lodged by the residents, officers from the Petaling Jaya City Council’s health department came and issued a warning to the tenant. Following the visit, the place was cleaned up, but two months later, things regrettably returned to their previous state. There were no further checks by the authorities.

Landlords have both legal and ethical responsibilities to their property. These obligations include maintaining the structure and exterior of the property, appliances and furniture, and dealing with issues related to water and electricity supply.

Landlords should also do their part to help improve the community where their properties are located.

Meanwhile, tenants are responsible for keeping the premises clean. Most people expect a reasonable level of maintenance and cleanliness for homes in their neighbourhoods.

I am sure there is a tenancy agreement between the landlord and the tenant, and one of the clauses would allow the landlord to inspect his property on a regular basis. In this case, I have not seen the landlord visit his property in the past two years.

The authorities should compel the house owner and his tenant to adhere strictly to the conditions stipulated in the tenancy agreement. And I hope the Local Government Development Ministry will also address this problem and find a permanent solution for it.

The Star Malaysia
WONG SOO KAN Petaling Jaya
5 Dec 2023 
https://www.thestar.com.my/opinion/letters/2023/12/05/landlords-must-take-care-of-their-rental-properties