Teen helping police with investigations into fake PMO statement about Lee Kuan Yew
Police have identified a male Singaporean student, below 16 years of age, in their investigations into the fake statement which was circulated about Mr Lee Kuan Yew on Wednesday (March 18).
The screenshot was of a statement purportedly from the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) website.
Police say they were alerted to multiple messages at about 10.10pm on Wednesday night, and established the identity of the suspect within 24 hours.
Preliminary investigations revealed that the suspect was believed to have modified an earlier 2010 PMO statement hosted on the PMO website, and subsequently sent out a photo of the modified content.
The student is believed to have operated alone.
He is assisting police with investigations.
If found guilty, he may be fined up to $50,000 or jailed up to 10 years or both, for Access with Intent to Commit or Facilitate Commission of Offence under Section 4(1) of the Computer Misuse and Cybersecurity Act, Chapter 50A.
Acting Director of the Criminal Investigation Department Assistant Commissioner of Police Sekher Warrier advised members of public not to spread falsehoods.
The police take a very stern view against anyone who doctors a government website to spread false information to deceive the public. Individuals who do so must be prepared to face the consequences under the law.
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