Cyberstalking: Real Life

Ryan Lin. Curtesy of CBS Boston

Ryan Lin was found guilty on October 3, 2018. Judge William Young, a U.S. district judge, convicted Lin to 210 months, or 17 and a half years, for cyberstalking his ex-roommate. Not only did Lin harass his ex-roommate, he harassed her family, co-workers and friends. He had hacked into online accounts, posted sexual solicitations under their name, sent child pornography and made over 120 false bomb threats.

In April, Lin pleaded guilty to seven counts of cyberstalking, five counts of child pornography distribution, nine counts of hoax bomb threats, three counts of computer fraud and abuse, and identity theft. Judge William Young also sentenced Lin to serve five years of supervised release after his jail sentence.

Lin, who hacked the victim’s online profiles, stole her private photos, personal identifiable information and private diary entries. Lin proceeded to release all of this information related to the victim. Lin, also, created online profiles in her (the victim’s) name including sexual activities. This led to unknown men showing up at the victim’s house.

Lin reported over 100 false bomb threats at the victim’s house as well as creating hoax social media accounts saying the victim was going to “shoot up” a nearby school in Waltham, Massachusetts.