Hackers posting nude pics on cop’s Facebook page

Shortly after the pandemic hit local shores last year, Corporal Cyril Francis, more commonly known as the Preaching Policeman, could no longer take his ministry to the streets.

Francis, who is also a pastor, would preach his sermons at the Potter's Tabernacle of Joy Church in Job Lane, Spanish Town, St Catherine. However, the sharp increase in the number of positive COVID-19 cases caused the closure of churches. Like other pastors, Francis opted to use social media to deliver the word of God. But recently that also became a challenge.

Speaking with THE STAR yesterday, Francis said that his page, that had attracted more than 55,000 followers, was taken over by hackers who have been posting explicit photos there.

"When I realised my page was hacked last week, I thought I could have retrieved it because it was done to me already and I thought it was the same hackers. This one is different as they have been posting a lot of nude pictures and persons from all walks of life have been contacting me about it. I want everyone to know that I did not put those things up there as I will never do that," he said. Francis said he believes that this is merely the work of the devil, who opposes him preaching the word of God.

Every morning

"It's like every morning they put up a new nude picture. But thankfully there are persons who are reaching out to me saying that they know that it is not me doing it. I have no other choice except to just abandon that one and create a new page. I have reported the matter to Facebook but they are taking too long," he said.

Francis told THE STAR that he would be filing a complaint with the police's Cybercrimes Unit. He emphasised that he would not stop preaching the word of God.

"I will not let the enemy stop me. I have a new page that I am using and it's slowly building up with followers. COVID had caused me to stop preaching on the streets. But online, I am reaching a lot more ears," he said.

- S.M.L.