Singapore, March 19 (IANS): Singapore police confirmed Thursday that they are looking into the fake image of the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) statement which circulated on social media Wednesday as Singapore's former premier Lee Kuan Yew remained critically ill.

The PMO said on Wednesday evening that it was lodging a police report over the fake statement about Lee Kuan Yew.

Police confirmed that a report has been lodged and they were investigating the matter, Xinhua news agency reported.

Assistant Commissioner of Police Melvin Yong, director of public affairs department, said they take a very stern view against anyone who forges a government website to spread false information to mislead the public. They are determined to bring them to book.

He also advised the public not to spread falsehoods.

The image of the doctored statement from the PMO's website which stated that the founding premier had died was circulated on social media and on WhatsApp on Wednesday evening.