PETALING JAYA: The ease of anonymity in cyberspace makes it a haven for would-be criminals, says a criminologist.

Dr Haezreena Begum Abdul Hamid said, generally, criminals like scammers and cyberbullies were able to easily use fake identities to commit their deeds and get away unscathed.

“They can also create multiple identities which makes it easy for them to say anything they want to (in bullying cases) and then run off being undetected," added Dr Haezreena who is also Deputy Dean of Higher Degree at Universiti Malaya’s Law Faculty.

Dr Haezreena was responding to a question about the nicknames of TikTok characters purportedly linked to the two people charged for bullying the late influencer and Hindu rights activist Rajeswary Appahu.

The list of names was published on Saturday (July 27) by Harapan Daily and among the pseudonyms revealed were Harpic CEO, Sosma CEO, Mr Kulim, Reborn Sasau, Reborn Hunter, Reborn Crazy, Reborn Sultan, Reborn Brothers, Reborn Fire, Reborn Kuty, Reborn Cowboy, Kingmaker and Silaki Gomma among others.

Almost all the alleged perpetrators, except for one or two, also do not show their faces.

“They are hiding behind a screen with these names so that they can get away easily," she reiterated.

Counselling psychologist Joyce Hue said these personalities may appear to be very normal when met face to face but most had a darker side.

“Their aggression, while hiding behind pseudonyms, is a release of pent-up anger probably caused by their own life experiences.

“People like these also suffer from low self-esteem and are insecure," said Hue who sits on the Selangor Mental Health Association executive committee.

She added it should also not come as a surprise if most of the aggressors, hiding behind fake identities, were from suppressed and deprived backgrounds.

Their nasty conduct could be a projection of their anger due to their perception that they were treated unfairly and levelled with discrimination and hatred by society at large, added Hue.

Rajeswary, who is better known as Esha, had committed suicide earlier this month due to alleged cyberbullying by a group of people on TikTok.

The two charged were psychiatric nursing home operator Shalini Periasamy, 35, and lorry driver B. Sathiskumar, 44.

Father of three Sathiskumar was charged under Section 233(1)(a) of the Communications and Multimedia Act (CMA) 1998 and Section 509 of the Penal Code whilst Shalini was charged under Section 14 of the Minor Offences Act.

Sathiskumar pleaded guilty to the first charge but claimed trial for the second charge.

Shalini courted the nation’s ire after she allegedly walked away haughtily upon being fined a mere RM100 which was the maximum penalty under the Act that she was charged under.

Those suffering from mental health issues or contemplating suicide can reach out to the Mental Health Psychosocial Support Service (03-2935 9935 or 014-322 3392); Talian Kasih (15999 or 019-261 5999 on WhatsApp); Jakim's Family, Social and Community care centre (011-1959 8214 on WhatsApp); and Befrienders Kuala Lumpur (03-7627 2929), visit www.befrienders.org.my/centre-in-malaysia for a complete list of numbers and operating hours, or email sam@befrienders.org.my.

https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2024/07/28/ease-of-anonymity-makes-cyberspace-a-haven-for-criminality