The Police have arrested a 27-year-old man for his suspected involvement in several cheating cases and unauthorized access to computer materials.
Since 2 May 2016, the Police have received several reports from victims who purportedly received requests via the Facebook Messenger Application, from their friend to assist in an online project. The victims were requested by the suspect to take photos of their bare chests and send them to him. Some of the victims were also promised cash and gifts once the photos were sent. These victims who were led into believing that the request came from their friend subsequently realized that the latter neither made such a request nor was there any such online project.
Officers from Central Division conducted extensive investigations and successfully established the identity of the suspect before arresting him along Orchard Road on 6 Jun 2016 at 10.30pm. Preliminary investigation revealed that the suspect was believed to have hacked into the Facebook Messenger Application, masqueraded as the victims’ common friend before requesting for the victims’ compromising photos.
The suspect is currently being investigated for the offence of Cheating By Personation under Sec 419 of the Penal Code, Chapter 224 and Unauthorised Access to Computer Material under Section 3 of the Computer Misuse & Cybersecurity Act, Chapter 50A. Anyone found guilty of Cheating By Personation under Section 419 of the Penal Code, Chapter 224, may be punished with imprisonment for a term which may extend up to 5 years, or with a fine, or with both. Anyone who knowingly causes a computer to perform any function for the purpose of securing access without authority to any programme shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $5,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 2 years or to both. Investigations are ongoing.
The Police would like to advise members of public to remain vigilant and seek verifications from parties involved whenever they receive any dubious requests or messages.
SINGAPORE POLICE FORCE
07 June 2016 @ 6:10 PM