SINGAPORE : Some Singaporeans have bought spyware via the internet, which allows one to read someone else's SMS messages.

Police warned that this is illegal as it violates the Computer Misuse Act.

They added that offenders could be fined by up to $10,000 or jailed for up to three years, or both.

But that has not deterred some from buying the spyware for S$207 at foreign websites.

All a person needs to do is to download the software into the mobile phone, and monitor the SMSes via a website.

Lawyers said users are liable for a civil suit as they are viewing what is considered sensitive information. - CNA /ls