Pass it on.....PUSH-POCKETING IN KUALA LUMPUR

PUSH-POCKETING IN KUALA LUMPUR

A few days ago a new type of crime has surfaced in town.It goes something like this:-Somebody slips a hand-phone into your pocket,sometimes it could be just a wallet withan identity card and a few ringgit.

A few minutes later, the 'owner' comes upand confronts you, the 'thief '..He makes a big commotion that you stole his stuff.

You, caught unaware, are then pulled aside by the'owner' for a settlement. You are intimidated and threatenedthat if you do not pay up the police will be brought in.If you pay up, this 'owner' lets you go.If not, the police are brought in.

Another strange thing is that there always seemsto be a 'witness' to your 'theft'.

I am told this often happens to foreigners atthe Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA)or even at LRT trains.Given that you're 'guilty until proven innocent'as far as the Malaysian police are concerned,I understand some poor people are in jail forthese 'offences'.

At the KLIA, the 'owner' throws his hand-phone andwallet with the few ringgit notes into the luggagetrolley of a just arrived passenger.The drama unfolds a few minutes later.The real culprit has easily convinced our Malaysian policeto arrest the real victim (if he has not paid up the 'settlement' demand).This is a very serious matter.

This is another form of extortionists operating in broad daylight.They are disgusting criminals who wi! ll do anythingto rob and steal. The sickening part of the wholescenario is that unless you pay the 'quoted settlement' money,they will put you in real trouble by calling the police..

The real culprit gets back his hand-phoneand wallet but the real victim ( i.e. could be any one of us)is thrown into the police lock up and charged in court.

So do be very careful,otherwise you may end up as a 'thief'as you have no way to prove your innocence..





Pass it on.....let more people be awareof such things around them.
Geh Cheng Lok & Co,Advocates & Solicitors