Cover image via @reinalum (Instagram)
Malaysian content creator and former lawyer Reina Lum has exposed an online group allegedly targeting young women by posing as professional modelling agents to lure them into lewd photoshoots
In a viral video posted yesterday, 11 June, Reina revealed the existence of a Threads group that purportedly targets women, some possibly underage, by offering them RM500 to participate in photoshoots that later turn out to be voyeuristic and exploitative in nature.
"This is not [professional]. It's taking advantage of young people, young girls," she said.
Contrary to the belief that such activities are hidden in the dark web, Reina explained that the perpetrators operate openly on social media platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and Threads.
She said a friend in the photography industry first alerted her to the group, which poses as a legitimate modelling agency to gain victims' trust.
"They're not targeting actual models because RM500 means nothing to them. But they know there are people out there who are struggling financially, and they use that weakness to take advantage," claimed Reina.
Image via @reinalum (Instagram)
The use of artificial intelligence (AI) makes it even more dangerous
According to her, the group claimed they would protect the girls' identities by digitally replacing their faces with those of other women. Reina pointed out that the practice is both ethically and legally wrong.
"What about the girl whose face gets used? She never even took part in the shoot. And what's to stop them from using those images to blackmail the real girl later?" she asked.
Reina said she shared the video to raise public awareness and prevent others from falling victim.
She stressed that whether the victims are minors or not, the conduct is already illegal and paves the way for even more dangerous forms of exploitation.
"The more we speak out about this, the more pressure there is on the authorities to take action," she added, urging the public to help amplify awareness of these predatory schemes.
At the time of writing, the group is no longer searchable on Threads, although similarly named groups can still be found on other platforms.
Reina's video can be found here.
Image via @reinalum (Instagram)
If you or someone you know may be at risk or has experienced sexual abuse or assault, please reach out to these Malaysian organisations:
1. WOMEN'S AID ORGANISATION (WAO)
Operating hours: 24-hour
Contact: +603-30008858
SMS/WhatsApp: +6018-9888058
Website | Facebook | Twitter
2. ALL WOMEN'S ACTION SOCIETY (AWAM)
Operating hours: Monday to Friday (9.30am – 5.30pm)
Contact: +603-78770224
WhatsApp/Telegram: +6016-2284221 | +6016-2374221
Email: [email protected]
Website | Facebook | Twitter
3. WOMEN'S CENTRE FOR CHANGE PENANG (WCC PENANG)
Operating hours: Monday to Friday (9am – 5pm)
Contact: +604-2280342 | +604-3988340
WhatsApp: +6011-31084001 | +6016-4180342
Email: [email protected]
Website | Facebook | Twitter
4. SARAWAK WOMEN FOR WOMEN SOCIETY (SWWS)
Operating hours: Monday (7pm – 9pm),Tuesday to Thursday (9.30am – 11.30am), Saturday (2pm – 4pm)
Contact: +6082-368853
SMS/WhatsApp: +6016-5822660 | +6013-8044285
Email: [email protected]
Website | Facebook | Twitter
5. SABAH WOMEN'S ACTION-RESOURCE GROUP (SAWO)
Operating hours: Monday to Friday (9am – 5pm)
Contact: +6088-280200 | +6011-27908020
Email: [email protected]
Website | Facebook | Twitter
6. PROTECT AND SAVE THE CHILDREN (PS THE CHILDREN)
Operating hours: Monday to Friday (3pm – 12am)
WhatsApp: +6016-7213065
Email: [email protected]
Website | Facebook | Twitter
7. INTERNET WATCH FOUNDATION (IWF)
Anonymously and confidentially report child sexual abuse content and non-photographic child sexual abuse images with IWF's Reporting Portal.
