Viral post a scam: Police
Published on: Thursday, February 27, 2020
By: Stefyanie Myla Micheal
KOTA KINABALU: Police have denied a viral post with a photo being circulated on social media about a Russian tourist claiming to have been robbed and asking for public donations.
City Police Chief ACP Habibi Majinji said it was a scam.
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“The post that has been circulated on social media is fake. Such allegations can tarnish the city’s image, as if there were many tourists robbed.
“This individual is believed to have taken advantage by asking for alms from the public by claiming she has been robbed,” he told Daily Express, when contacted, Wednesday.
Habibi said upon receiving the information, several police personnel went to where the girl was last seen but did not find her.
“Some netizens claimed the girl lodged a report after she was robbed, but rest assured that we did not receive such report,” he said, adding some netizens also expressed sympathy and wanted to help her.
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Habibie said action can be taken against the woman under the Immigration Act for overstaying or under the Minor Offences Act.
The viral photo has garnered over 2.2k shares as of press time on Wednesday.