Alleged internet hacker to appear in court today

Ronald Oates, the man believed to be a major player behind the website exposing explicit pictures of women, is to make his first appearance in court today.

Oates is charged with offences under the Cyber Crimes Act and the Larceny Act.

He is accused of being involved in the ring which hacked into people’s computers, removed private photographs, and then demanded money for the pictures not to be exposed.

Oates was arrested at his house last Monday.

The police say investigators recovered several computers, cell phones, wireless modems, thumb drives and telephone SIM cards during a search.

They say Oates had been under surveillance for months.

radio@gleanerjm.com