MIRI: A local woman who claimed she was robbed at gunpoint by four men could end up behind bars or face a hefty fine after admitting that the alleged robbery never happened.
The 29-year-old lodged a police report last Thursday (May 28), alleging that she had been robbed while alone near Miri Gospel Chapel in Pujut the previous night.
In her report, she claimed that after stopping her pickup truck by the roadside, four men arrived in another vehicle and confronted her.
One of the suspects pointed a pistol at her stomach before fleeing with a gold necklace, a gold ring, a gold bracelet and RM350 in cash.
The woman estimated her losses at RM3,130.
Miri police chief ACP Mohd Farhan Lee Abdullah said the report prompted police to open an investigation under Sections 395 and 397 of the Penal Code for armed gang robbery.
“However, a thorough investigation by the Criminal Investigation Division (CID) uncovered numerous inconsistencies in the information provided by the complainant throughout the probe.
“Further investigations and intelligence gathering established that the reported robbery had never taken place.
“Police subsequently obtained evidence proving that the alleged incident was fictitious, leading the complainant to admit that the report she lodged was false,” he said.
Mohd Farhan added that the jewellery and cash allegedly stolen, were found safely in her possession.
Following that, the investigating officer lodged a separate report against the woman for intentionally providing false information to a public servant.
The case is being investigated under Section 182 of the Penal Code, which carries up to six months’ imprisonment, a fine up to RM2,000, or both, upon conviction.
In light of this, members of the public are reminded not to lodge false police reports for personal gain as such action constitute a serious offence.
