QuickCheck: Are Klang Valley parents being harassed by a 'fake kidnapping' scam?

FOR a parent, hearing that a son or daughter has been kidnapped ranks right up there as one of their worst nightmares – and would no doubt motivate them to do all they can to get their child home safe again.

Recently, a WhatsApp message has been making the rounds; the message says that parents in the Klang Valley have been receiving calls from a person posing as a kidnapper to scam them. Is a fake kidnapping scam operating in this area?

VERDICT:

TRUE

This has been confirmed by Brickfields OCPD ACP Amihizam Abdul Shukor, who said that the police have received four reports of scammers posing as kidnappers of school-going students.

He said the reports were lodged between June 13-15, and added that the preliminary investigations showed that a woman received a call asking for ransom money from an unknown person who had claimed to have kidnapped her child.

“She immediately checked on her child and found that they were safe; she then cut off contact with the suspect,” said ACP Amihizam on Thursday (June 22).

He added that the case is being investigated under Section 420 and 511 of the Penal Code for attempted cheating.

“Don't be fooled by calls from unknown individuals. Check with the school, speak to (your child's) teachers if you face such a situation,” said ACP Amihizam.

He added that parents should contact their nearest police station if they are faced with such a situation and said that they should not reveal their personal or banking information to strangers.

“Check the telephone number and the bank account details at htpp://ccid.rmp.gov.my/semakmule/ before making any transactions,” said ACP Amihizam.

“A report can also be made with the National Scam Response Center by calling 997, the Brickfields police hotline is 03-2297 9222 and the Kuala Lumpur police hotline is either 03-2146 0584 or 03-2146 0585,” he added.