In a disturbing invasion of privacy, a 29-year-old woman from Malaysia who rented an apartment in Singapore since January 17, 2019, uncovered a shocking breach of trust by her landlord. For a monthly rent of S$600, she thought she had struck a good deal having her own room and bathroom, not to mention living with what seemed like a harmless married couple. However, her perceptions changed drastically when she discovered her 68-year-old landlord, Daniel Poon Lee, had been spying on her.
Intrusive Landlord Activities Raise Suspicions
The tenant noticed something was amiss when Lee would enter her room about once a month under the pretext of doing her a favor, such as changing the lightbulb or mopping the floor, while she was out. Though these acts initially seemed kind, they eventually unsettled the woman, leading her to question Lee’s intentions.
Spy Cameras Hidden Throughout the Apartment
From April 2020 to January 2021, Lee took his violation of privacy a step further by installing eight tiny cameras in various parts of the apartment, including in the tenant’s bedroom and bathroom. These devices not only recorded continuously but also transmitted live footage, which Lee admitted to using for personal sexual gratification. Investigation into this matter unveiled at least 49 such invasive images stored on his computer.
Tenant’s Discovery of the Spy Cameras
Doubts turned into realization when the tenant spotted Lee on his phone watching a video of a woman in a bright green t-shirt, identical to the one she was wearing at the time. This incident, coupled with Lee’s odd request not to turn off the power to the USB socket in her room, culminated in her discovery of the hidden cameras. After noticing a suspicious hole under the air-conditioning duct believed to be an “insect hole,” she probed it and realized it was, in fact, a camera. This discovery was later confirmed with the help of her boyfriend and cousin, leading to the involvement of law enforcement.
Legal Proceedings
The tenant was profoundly shaken upon discovering the breach of her personal privacy by someone she had trusted. Upon his arrest, Lee confessed to the crime and cooperated with police, revealing the locations of all eight hidden cameras. He was characterized as a remorseful first-time offender, with the prosecution recommending a jail term of 10 to 12 months, considering his cooperation and early guilty plea.
