The confidential details of 14,200 HIV-infected individuals as well as 2,400 of their contacts were stolen and leaked online.

Stolen and leaked by a deported U.S citizen

According to the Ministry of Health (MOH), a U.S citizen Mikhy K Farrera Brochez is currently in possession of said information.

The records belong to 5,400 Singaporeans diagnosed with HIV up to January 2013, as well as 8,800 foreigners diagnosed up to 2011. The information included their name, identification number, contact details (phone number and address), HIV test results and related medical information.

Additionally, the name, identification number, phone number and address of 2,400 individuals culled from contact tracing up to May 2007 were also stolen.

According to MOH, there's a possibility that Brochez might disclose the information again in future as he is still in possession of it.

MOH is currently working with the relevant authorities to scan the internet for further signs of disclosure.

Remanded in prison for fraud

Brochez was remanded in prison in 2016 for numerous fraud and drug-related offences.

One of his fraud offences involved him lying about his HIV status in order to renew his employment pass.

After serving his sentence, Brochez was deported from Singapore. He is currently outside of Singapore.

Brochez's partner is Dr. Ler Teck Siang, ex-Head of MOH’s National Public Health Unit (NPHU).

Ler had access to the HIV Registry for his work.

He was charged in 2016 for abetting Brochez in his cheating and was charged in Court in June 2016 for offences under the Penal Code and the Official Secrets Act (OSA).

Ler was convicted in September 2018 and sentenced to 24 months' imprisonment.

He has appealed; his appeal will be heard in March 2019. He has also been charged under the OSA for failing to take care of confidential patient information.

MOH said that this matter arose out of Ler's mishandling of confidential information. It said the police has enlisted the help of its foreign counterparts to handle the situation.

MOH urged members of the public not to circulate the information if they come across it online. You can read the rest of the Ministry's press release here.

Top image by MOH