[bomondus]

Wednesday January 19, 2011

‘Cops’ ask for early ang pow

IPOH: Beware of people posing as policemen promising to release relatives from custody. Perak police chief Deputy Comm Datuk Mohd Shukri Dahlan said in the past two weeks, the state police received three reports about culprits claiming to be policemen who could secure the release of people under detention.

He said the suspects would pose as police officers and call families whose loved ones were in police custody.

“The perpetrators would normally ask between RM8,000 and RM10,000 to be banked into an account,” he said. “The victims only found out they were duped when their relatives were still in police custody,” he said.

Speaking to reporters after attending the contingent’s monthly gathering here yesterday, DCP Mohd Shukri said such things happened when festivities are around the corner.

“When we arrest a suspect, it is for investigation purposes and we do not negotiate their release,” he said. The public who doubted calls offering such help should check with the nearest police station.

On another matter, DCP Mohd Shukri said Perak police had set up a team to keep crime in check during the Chinese New Year.

“You will see more police presence in the coming weeks where roadblocks will be set up to weed out bad hats,” he added, urging people who withdrew money from banks to be vigilant.