Online scammer arrested for hacking into Facebook Messenger

A 27-year-old man has been arrested for tricking victims into sending him photos of their bare chests. PHOTO: ST FILE

SINGAPORE - A 27-year-old man who allegedly tricked victims into sending him photos of their bare chests has been arrested, police said.

The suspect is involved in several cheating cases and hacked into people's social media messaging accounts, police said in a statement on Tuesday (June 7).

Victims reported that their friends appeared to contact them on Facebook Messenger, and asked them to send photos of their chests.

Some of the victims were promised cash and gifts once the photos were sent.

Several victims have made reports since May 2.

They later realised that their friends did not make the request.

The suspect had allegedly hacked into Facebook Messenger and used others' accounts to ask for compromising photos, preliminary investigations indicate. He was arrested along Orchard Road on Monday at 10.30pm.

The suspect is being investigated for a number of possible offences, including cheating by impersonating others, and unauthorised access to computer material.

If found guilty of the first, he may be jailed up to five years and fined. For the hacking offence, he can be fined not more than $5,000 and jailed up to two years.

Investigations are ongoing, police said.

Police warned the public to seek verification if they receive dubious messages or requests.

Join ST's WhatsApp Channel and get the latest news and must-reads.