Reported by Allan Dyer (adyer@yuikee.com.hk) of Yui Kee Co. Ltd, Hong Kong:
Raymond Chen, son of a Hong Kong University lecturer, has become Hong Kong's first convicted Internet Hacker. He was convicted on three counts under the Telecommunications Ordinance and ordered to pay fines and costs totaling HK$45,000. The magistrate indicated his wish to deter others, saying, "Although a deterrent sentence is not usually imposed upon a first offender, there is no absolute bar".
The offenses took place between August and October 1994, and involved access to computers operated by Hong Kong Polytechnic and Hong Kong University of Science and Technology. After a monitoring operation, the Commercial Crimes Bureau officers gained access to Mr. Chen's home posing as neighbors concerned about a water leak, and seized the computing equipment.
Raymond Chen is considering an appeal and claims he may have been framed by the gay community: "I didn't do anything except harass the fags and of course I harass them mercilessly", referring to his activities on IRC. Chen claimed he had been given the passwords to various friends' accounts as "payment" for technical assistance. Police and local Internet experts dismissed his claims of being framed. Chen was not convicted under the Computer Crimes Ordinance, as there was no evidence that he had any criminal or dishonest intent in his unauthorized access.