Fake Think-Tank Used AI-Generated Profiles to Target Intelligence Analysts: Report
Source: The Straits Times
A fake think-tank claiming to be Singapore-based used AI-generated employee profiles to approach security analysts and intelligence personnel, The Straits Times has found. The Institute of East Asia Strategic Studies has no official registration in Singapore, and most of its listed experts appear fabricated.
Singapore's reputation as a trusted hub for research and international dialogue makes it an attractive cover for influence operations — and a recent investigation reveals exactly how AI is making those operations harder to detect. The Straits Times reported Thursday that a think-tank called the Institute of East Asia Strategic Studies (IEASS) had been using what appear to be AI-generated profiles to approach security analysts and intelligence community members across Asia.
The alarm was first raised by Bill Hayton, an associate fellow at Chatham House, who asked on social media in late June whether anyone had heard of the institute. What followed was a deeper look that turned up more questions than answers. ST found no record of IEASS being registered in Singapore, despite its website claiming it was founded here in 2019. Of the 12 individuals listed as employees on its site, only three had public LinkedIn profiles, and several profile pictures appeared to have been generated by AI.
This is not an isolated incident — IEASS appears to be linked to at least two other similar organisations, suggesting a broader network that may be attempting to gather sensitive information under false pretences. The approach mirrors a growing global trend: state-aligned and non-state actors alike are using generative AI to manufacture credible-looking personas, websites, and publications at negligible cost. What used to require a sophisticated intelligence operation can now be done with a few prompts and a domain registration.
For Singapore, the implications cut across security and reputation. The fact that a fake institute chose to present itself as Singapore-based speaks to the credibility the Republic carries in international policy circles — but it also means local authorities and regional partners need to be more vigilant. The incident also highlights an emerging category of AI harm that sits somewhere between disinformation and espionage, where the technology isn't used to generate fake news but to build fake institutions.
Why it matters for Singapore: As AI tools make it easier to create convincing fake identities and organisations, Singapore's role as a trusted international hub becomes both an asset and a vulnerability. The Government has been proactive on AI governance and deepfake regulation, but this case shows a new frontier: synthetic identities used for targeted intelligence gathering rather than broad public manipulation. Expect greater scrutiny of think-tanks and research institutes claiming Singapore ties, and potentially new registration or verification requirements for entities operating under the Republic's name.
