Nine arrested for cybercrimes and death threats against Hong Kong Police Force after officers’ data leaked online

As many as 600 officers had personal data – including addresses, phone numbers and pictures – leaked online in wake of June 12 clashes between police and protesters

Some officers received prank calls, others threats that ‘all their family members would be killed’

Reading Time:2 minutes

Superintendent Swalikh Mohammed, of the Cyber Security and Technology Crime Bureau, says more arrests could be made as crackdown continues. Photo: Edmond So

Published: 8:17pm, 3 Jul 2019Updated: 8:35am, 4 Jul 2019

Nine Hongkongers have been arrested in 24 hours for online attacks and cyberbullying targeting Hong Kong police officers – including hate speech and death threats against officers and their children.

Police on Wednesday said seven men and two women, including a primary school teacher, were accused of leaking officers’ personal information – such as names, phone numbers, home addresses, pictures and family data – on the internet and social media platforms.

One of the suspects was arrested for an online post calling for government buildings to be attacked with petrol bombs.

Swalikh Mohammed, superintendent of the Cyber Security and Technology Crime Bureau, said police had received more than 800 complaints from officers and referred about 150 of the cases to the privacy commissioner’s office for investigation.

Swalikh Mohammed, superintendent of the Cyber Security and Technology Crime Bureau, said some threatening calls included death threats against officers’ children. Photo: Edmond So

Another police source said as many as 600 officers were believed to have had their personal data circulated online in the wake of clashes between police and protesters.

Select Voice

Choose your listening speed

Get through articles 2x faster

1.25x

250 WPM

Slow

Average

Fast

00:0000:00

1.25x