Student warned for fake announcement on Lee's death

Singapore police on Tuesday issued a stern warning to a student who posted a fake announcement on the supposed death of former prime minister Lee Kuan Yew.

According to an official statement, a spokesman said the police had completed investigations into the case, the Straits Times reported.

Acting alone, the student had circulated online a screenshot photograph, purportedly from the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) website, announcing Lee's death.

"Police have completed investigations into the case reported on March 18 where a fake screenshot photograph of a statement purportedly from the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) website was circulated," the statement said.

"The culprit is a male Singaporean student below 16 years of age. In consultation with the Attorney-General's Chambers (AGC), police have issued him with a stern warning in lieu of prosecution," it added.

Further details in a separate statement issued by the AGC revealed that no "hacking" or unauthorised access of the PMO website had taken place. It also explained that the student had never intended for his message to be so widely disseminated.

"He created the image because he was frustrated with the frequent rumours about the demise of Lee. He wanted to demonstrate to his friends how easy it was for a hoax to be perpetuated," the AGC statement said.

After sharing it with his friends, however, the image was quickly forwarded by one or more of the original recipients despite the student informing them that it was a fake.

The AGC added that the decision to issue a stern warning to the student, which was done in the presence of his parents, was taken after "careful consideration of all relevant factors" including his personal circumstances and readiness to accept responsibility.

Lee Kuan Yew, known as Singapore's founding prime minister, passed away on March 23.