IGP: Have no fear, just go to police in 'push-pocket' blackmail cases

KUALA LUMPUR - Inspector-general of Police Khalid Abu Bakar has advised the public not to fall prey to ‘push-pocket’ criminals who plant things on their targets and then accuse the victims of having stolen their personal items.

The “push-pocket” perpetrators will blackmail victims by slipping items such as other people’s mobile phones or wallets into the pockets of their targets in crowded places around the capital.

The unsuspecting victims will later be accused of theft, while the crook offers to settle the matter with the victim paying a sum of money to avoid being reported to the police.

Khalid said victims should not be afraid. They should ignore the threats but go with them to the nearest police station.

“Should anyone come up to you and accuse you of theft, have no fear. Just take them to the nearest police station. Do not try to settle the matter by yourself,” he said, “because they will not dare go to the police station.”

The “push-pocket” scam has become news on social networks. The main targets are said to be foreigners arriving at Kuala Lumpur International Airport or who happen to be at LRT stations.

Kuala Lumpur CID chief Rusdi Mohd Isa said so far police have not received any reports about the scam. “Checks with Dang Wangi and Brickfields stations found no cases have been reported to the police,” he said.

-BERNAMA