Suspected ‘Messiah’ hacker charged in court

SINGAPORE — The man alleged to have hacked into Government websites under the moniker “The Messiah” was charged in the Subordinate Courts today (Nov 12). James Raj, 35, has been charged under the Computer Misuse and Cybersecurity Act with carrying out “unauthorised modifications” to websites here, including adding an image of Guy Fawkes mask on the Ang Mo Kio Town Council website. He is said to have used a computer in Kuala Lumpur to carry out the hacks. He also allegedly added a banner with the message: “I have been to various sites and seen how they take the initiative to secure their systems. You have a brain & you have money. You had a choice. Don’t blame external factors (Anonymous) for this hack. The Messiah ;)” Raj is also accused of adding a banner with the words: “MP Ang Hin Kee, I would like to tender my resignation as your minister of parliament”. The police said in a statement that Raj was arrested on suspicion of carrying out the hacking attacks on websites including that of City Harvest Church co-founder Sun Ho and the People’s Action Party Community Foundation. Raj is represented by lawyer M Ravi. Mr Ravi, however, told the court that he has been denied access to the client. Mr Ravi told the court that he has received instructions from Raj’s acquaintances yesterday morning. The Prosecution asked that Raj be remanded in the Institute of Mental Health (IMH) for a psychiatric evaluation after Raj told the court that he is taking medication for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), has borderline personality disorder, suffers from depression, has suicidal tendencies and suffers from hallucinations. The case was adjourned, and when it resumed at 2.30pm, District Judge Kessler Soh ruled that James will be remanded at the Institute of Mental Health for psychiatric evaluation. He is not allowed access to any third parties including counsel, except for medical personnel until the evaluation is completed. Under the Computer Misuse Act, first-time offenders who are found guilty can be fined up to S$10,000 or/and jailed up to three years. Separately, five men aged between 21 and 26 have been charged in court today with vandalism between 4am to 5am on Nov 5. Muhammad Redzwan Baskin, 26, and 21-year-old Mohamad Fadzly Aziz are alleged to have vandalised a wall at Scape at around 5am on that day. Redzwan, who is charged with one charge under the Vandalism Act, is alleged to have sprayed “WE R ONE WE R LEGION WE DO NOT WE DO NOT FORGIVE WE DO NOT FORGET EXCEPT US! TSK” on the wall of the ramp at Scape with Fadzly, in reference to the Anonymous hacker collective. Under the Vandalism Act, anyone who is found guilty can be fined up to $2,000 or jailed up to three years and also be caned between three and eight strokes of the cane.