Landmark International Cyberstalking Conviction

Singaporean Jailed for 3 Years For Stalking American Opera Singer

San Francisco, CA – WEBWIRE – Friday, December 20, 2013

Leandra Ramm

"Colin’s relentless stalking went on for six years and he took away that time of my life from me. This sets a precedent that cyber stalking is not tolerated." Leandra Ramm

A cross-border cyber stalker who terrorized his victim across the globe, even in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean, has been jailed for 3 years in Singapore.

International opera singer Leandra Ramm’s life was almost destroyed by a man she had never met who threatened to kill her, her family, her friends and even sent her pictures of the gun he swore he would use to do it.

Lack of comprehensive international legislation to counter cross-border stalking meant that Leandra had to survive six years of psychological terrorism before the authorities brought the perpetrator to justice.

Today, 38 year old Colin Mak Yew Loong was jailed after admitting 31 counts of criminal intimidation of Ms Ramm from 2005 to 2011.

Ms Ramm’s nightmare began in 2005 when Mak saw her perform on CNN and then contacted her pretending to be someone who could help her with her music career.

He then manipulated and tortured her through emails culminating in sending death threats via emails and voice messages. He also tracked her to a cruise ship where she was working and sent messages and emails pretending to be on board and preparing to imminently attack her.

Ms Ramm worked with international organizations including the FBI and the UK Charity Network for Surviving Stalking to track her perpetrator to Singapore and put pressure on the authorities there to arrest Mak.

"Colin’s relentless stalking went on for six years and he took away that time of my life from me. This sets a precedent that cyber stalking is not tolerated. It is not a misdemeanor but a severely punishable crime. Colin technically took away the last nine years of my life since this all started when I was 20 and I am now 29.

Now I know this nightmare is finally over. I am proud of myself for fighting for justice and sticking with this case until the end, not giving up,” said Leandra.

“This is a landmark case in the fact that Colin Mak was convicted for cyber stalking despite international borders. The internet is one place, and finally my case has proven that.

This case has impacted my life on many levels. At first I was a helpless victim whose life and career were ruined, then I became a survivor and a woman determined to stop this even though authorities said there is nothing they can do repeatedly.

Finally, I am now an advocate and starting my own non-profit organization to help other victims and amend current cyber crime laws"

Besides harassing Ms Ramm, Mak also admitted to 11 other offenses, including intentional harassment and criminal trespass.

ENDS.

NOTES TO EDITORS:
Leandra Ramm is an international opera singer, dancer, actress and model. She has written a book about her ordeal called `Stalking a Diva’.

For more information on Leandra please visit: www.LeandraRamm.com

To fix interviews please call Leandra on 00 1 646 481 4379 or info@LeandraRamm.com She is based in California at the moment but is happy to travel to NYC or elsewhere.

To interview the FBI agent who helped Leandra with her case and track down Colin Mak, please contact Leandra Ramm.

For further information please call Alexis Bowater, Bowater Communications, on 00 44 7786 362454

For further information on stalking please visit the websites: www.nss.org.uk; www.stalkinghelpline.org; www.protectionagainststalking.org

The National Centre for Cyberstalking Research: http://www.beds.ac.uk/research/irac/nccr
The National Stalking Clinic: http://www.beh-mht.nhs.uk/mental-health-service/mh-services/national-stalking-clinic.htm
To watch a short film on Leandra’s experience please visit: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5yhcOGZYkeE