A computer hacker labeled Hong Kong's first "cyber-stalker" has been jailed for one year for sending obscene photographs and messages to two female students.
Apprentice construction worker Ko Kam-fai, 23, began hacking into the e-mail accounts of two women, aged 22 and 24, in January 1999 using a program he downloaded from the Internet.
Calling himself "Superhacker", Ko left pornographic pictures and stories. In one message sent in April 1999, he threatened to rape one of his victims; attached to that message was a picture of a woman engaged in sex.
Ko appeared in court for sentencing after pleading guilty earlier to eight charges of criminal damage, and two charges of criminal intimidation.
Prosecutor Richard Turnbull described the case as the first "cyber-stalking" case in Hong Kong, saying it left one victim fearing for her safety.
The court heard how Hong Kong police sought help from the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation to track down Ko who was using an e-mail account registered in the U.S. with the company USA.net.
Defense barrister Caesar Lo claimed Ko treated the messages as a "kind of joke" and did not realized he was in trouble until police tracked him down through his Internet account in August 1999.
Deputy Judge Andrew Ma was quoted on Hong Kong radio station RTHK as saying he had taken into account Ko's remorse but felt the sentence should reflect the public's disapproval of his crime.
He said Ko had failed to respect the dignity and feelings of his victims, and that hacking into someone's e-mail account was equal to breaking into someone's home. Read More
No comments:
Post a Comment