Hong Kong Activist Targeted by AI-Generated Explicit Letters in UK Harassment Campaign

A Hong Kong activist in the UK was sent into hiding. Her neighbors received malicious letters. The letters contained AI-generated explicit images of her face. This happened in Maidenhead, west of London, in November.

Carmen Lau, a 30-year-old exiled pro-democracy campaigner, discovered the disturbing campaign. She believes it is a direct attempt by China to silence her. According to AFP, this follows a previous letter campaign offering rewards for her.

Police Investigate Digitally Altered Images as Intimidation Tactic

The new letters bore a Macau postmark. They featured five digitally altered images. Lau’s face was superimposed on nude or semi-nude bodies. The text presented her personal details like an advertisement for sex work.

Lau described feeling shocked, terrified, and angry. She has since moved out of her flat for a second time. The psychological burden, she says, is the worst part. Thames Valley Police confirmed they are investigating a “malicious communications offence.”

Broader Campaign of International Repression Against Dissidents

This incident is part of a wider pattern. In December 2024, Hong Kong police placed a HK$1 million bounty on Lau. She is among several overseas activists accused of national security crimes. Political dissent has been severely curtailed since Beijing’s 2020 national security law.

Joshua Reynolds, Lau’s local MP, condemned the acts. He called Beijing’s efforts “utterly grotesque.” He urged the UK government to take decisive action. A Chinese embassy spokesperson dismissed the allegations as “weird.”

This case highlights the dangerous new frontier of transnational repression. The use of AI-generated explicit letters represents a severe form of psychological warfare. It shows the escalating tactics used to intimidate exiled activists globally.

Thought you’d like to know

What did the letters sent to the activist’s neighbors contain?

The letters contained AI-generated sexually explicit images. These images had Carmen Lau’s face superimposed on them. They also included her personal details written like a sex worker advertisement.

Who is investigating this incident?

Thames Valley Police in the UK are investigating. They are treating it as a “malicious communications offence.” The probe focuses on the digitally altered images sent to residents.

Why does the activist believe she is being targeted?

Carmen Lau is a former Hong Kong councillor and pro-democracy activist. She is living in exile after being charged with national security crimes. She believes this is a campaign by China to intimidate her into silence.

Has this happened to other activists?

Yes. This follows an earlier campaign where neighbors were offered rewards to report her. Several other high-profile Hong Kong exiles in the UK have faced similar harassment attempts involving letters and bounties.

What has been the official response from the UK?

A UK government spokesperson said the safety of Hong Kongers is paramount. They encouraged reporting concerns to the police. Local MP Joshua Reynolds called for stronger government action against international repression.