Police: Beware of calls about family member caught with drugs, it is a scam

KUALA LUMPUR: If you receive a call about a family member supposedly caught with drugs, it could be a scam.

Police are warning the public to be wary of a group posing as police officers out to hoodwink them into parting with money supposedly to free their loved ones caught with drugs.

Since January, six such cases were reported to the police with losses of about RM48,000.

Subang Jaya police chief ACP Yahaya Ramli said when confronted with such situations, the intended victim should get confirmation from the police by visiting the nearest police station.

"Don't panic, try to contact the family member concerned before taking any further step or making any decision," he advised.

He said the modus operandi of the syndicate was to call the intended victim, using computer software and gadgets such as 'Magic Jack', via the internet.

"The syndicate members use voice over internet protocol," he said in a statement.

ACP Yahaya said the syndicate members would then frighten the victims by informing them of a non-existent arrest of one of their family members for alleged possession of drugs.

"They would then demand for 'bribes' to set their loved ones free," he added.

The victims would then be told to follow the syndicate's rules in handing over the money, among them, placing the cash in public places such as rubbish bins and bus stations to avoid detection.

For more information on the syndicate, contact Bukit Aman's Commercial Crime Investigation Department operations office at 03-26163999 or 03-26163822. - Bernama