“RSAF Regular Sentenced to Jail for Phishing Women’s Accounts for Intimate Photos “

SINGAPORE: K Eshwaran, a 26-year-old regular in the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF), has been sentenced to 11 months in jail after using phishing tactics to access women’s social media and cloud accounts for intimate images. Eshwaran posed as a “helpful netizen,” warning his victims that their photos were allegedly leaked online and tricking them into providing their login credentials.

Court documents reveal that from 2019 to 2023, Eshwaran targeted 22 women, using a phishing link that directed victims to a fake login page. Once he accessed their accounts, he searched for private images for his personal use. In some cases, he impersonated male contacts to ask women for intimate photos, even using a credential generator to crack accounts.

The police traced his IP address to his residence, leading to his arrest. The prosecution, citing the sophisticated planning involved, argued for a deterrent sentence. Eshwaran’s lawyer sought leniency, describing him as a first-time offender and noting the support from his family. While granting a deferral for Eshwaran to address personal matters, the judge agreed with the prosecution’s assessment of aggravating factors.

Following his arrest, the Ministry of Defence (MINDEF) suspended Eshwaran, who held the rank of Military Expert 1. MINDEF stated that disciplinary action may include discharge from service, emphasizing the high standards expected of SAF personnel.