TOKYO — It’s a fashionable way to strike a pose that apparently started in Asia and has gained popularity around the world.

But now Japanese scientists are warning people their identities could be stolen simply by flashing the peace sign for a selfie.

Researchers from Japan’s National Institute of Informatics say it is possible to steal someone’s fingerprints in a photo taken from up to 3 meters away, CNet reported, citing the Japanese-language Sankei Shimbun.

All the potential hacker requires is a digital camera and the fingertips to be well-lit and in focus.

The researchers say the peace sign makes is easy for hackers to match fingerprints to faces, posing a security threat to phones, laptops, bank accounts and buildings.

They warn it is possible to steal fingerprints from peace sign gestures, waving, and people giving the thumbs up.

The researchers have developed a titanium oxide-based coating that can be attached to fingers to hide their prints.

The film protects fingerprints from theft but doesn’t stop them from working as security verification. However, it won’t be available commercially for another two years.