This article is more than 8 months old

This article is more than 8 months old

Police have issued a warning after a number of social media posts purportedly identified victims of the serial rapist Reynhard Sinaga.

Greater Manchester police (GMP) said social media users would be committing criminal offences and potentially jeopardising a live investigation by identifying those who may have been sexually assaulted by the PhD student.

The force said: “We are aware of a number of social media posts circulating which may identify potential victims of sexual offences in connection with the live investigation into Reynhard Sinaga.”

Sinaga, 36, was jailed for a minimum of 30 years on Monday after being convicted of 159 counts of rape or sexual assault against 48 men between January 2016 and June 2017. The student, originally from Indonesia, is suspected to have abused at least 195 men and police confirmed that more potential victims came forward this week.

GMP issued a statement on its social media channels on Thursday after a number of posts about the case.

Greater Manchester Police (@gmpolice) We want to remind people that any social media posts which identify victims of sexual offences constitute a criminal offence. Please be mindful. pic.twitter.com/CZEKwPHTnJ

It said: “We would like to stress that under the Sexual Offences (Amendment) Act 2000, victims of sexual offices have a lifelong right to anonymity and therefore any post which identifies victims of sexual offences constitutes a criminal offence. Additionally these posts risk jeopardising an ongoing investigation into serious crime. Please be mindful when sharing any social media posts.”

Detectives have opened a major incident hotline since the sentencing in the anticipation that further victims of Sinaga will come forward. On Tuesday the force said it had received multiple calls in the 24 hours after he was sentenced and that an undisclosed number were from potential additional victims.

Although police declined to disclose specific numbers, the force said its incident room had received a “very positive response”.

Police believe he attacked at least 195 victims, including the 48 whose cases were brought to court, judging by the number of “trophies” the rapist kept after his assaults, including video footage, wallets, watches, mobile phones and ID cards. All but four of the 48 victims he assaulted were raped.

Jailing Sinaga on Monday, the judge, Suzanne Goddard QC, described him as a “dangerous, deeply disturbed and perverted individual” who would never be safe to be released.

GMP said anyone with information relating to Sinaga could call 0800 092 0410 from within the UK or 020 7158 0124 for international callers, or make a report online. Anyone affected by the case and needing support from specialist agencies can call 0800 056 0154 from within the UK or 020 7158 0011 for international callers.