KUALA LUMPUR: An accounts executive almost fell victim to a scam after getting a phone call claiming that her child had been kidnapped and demanding a ransom.
Brickfields police chief Assistant Commissioner Amihizam Abdul Shukor, in a statement yesterday, said police received four reports about a viral WhatsApp message claiming that several schoolchildren around the Klang Valley had been kidnapped between June 13 and 15.
"One of the victims, a Malaysian woman who works as an accounts executive at a local company, reported receiving a phone call from an unknown individual claiming to be holding her child as hostage.
"The suspect ordered the victim to hand over a ransom. However, the woman immediately checked and found that her child was safe," Amihizam said.
He advised the public to avoid any speculation on the case, which is under investigation.
"Don't easily trust any phone call from unknown individuals. Check with the school or get confirmation from the school teacher if you experience a similar situation."
He urged the public not to disclose any personal information and to lodge a police report if faced with such a situation.
The public, he added, could also check the phone number or account number via ccid.rmp.gov.my/semakmule/ before taking any action.
"If you have any information about a fraud syndicate, please report to the National Scam Response Centre (NSRC) via hotline at 997.
"For any crime or suspicious activity, you can contact the Brickfields police hotline at 03-22979222 or the Kuala Lumpur hotline at 03-21460584/0585, or go to the nearest police station," said Amihizam.