Singaporean boy behind Lee Kuan Yew death hoax gets ‘stern warning’
A Singaporean boy behind a hoax that triggered premature reports about the death of Lee Kuan Yew has been let off with a “stern warning” in lieu of charges.
A Singaporean boy behind a hoax that triggered premature reports about the death of Singapore’s founding leader Lee Kuan Yew has been let off with a “stern warning” in lieu of charges, police said today.
A screenshot of a fake statement that appeared to be from the website of the Prime Minister’s Office announcing Lee’s death was widely circulated via social media and mobile messaging services on March 18, five days before Lee died in hospital after a long illness.
A number of international media organisations issued news alerts based on the fake statement, which they later retracted.
The Singapore Police Force said today that it had “completed investigations” into the case.
“The culprit is a male Singaporean student below 16 years of age,” it said in a statement.
The boy cannot be named in public due to his age.
“In consultation with the Attorney-General’s Chambers, the police have issued him with a stern warning in lieu of prosecution,” the statement added, referring to Singapore’s state prosecution arm.