A 29-year-old woman landed herself in legal trouble after police uncovered that an armed robbery she reported was entirely fabricated.
The local woman had lodged a police report at 1.58am on 28 May, claiming she was robbed by four men travelling in a four-wheel-drive vehicle near Miri Gospel Chapel in Pujut at about 10pm the previous night.
According to Miri District Police Chief Mohd Farhan Lee, the woman alleged she had stopped by the roadside to relieve herself when the suspects approached and one of them pointed a pistol at her stomach.
She further claimed the men fled with her gold necklace, gold ring, gold bracelet and RM350 in cash, resulting in losses estimated at RM3,130.
Following the report, police launched an investigation under Sections 395 and 397 of the Penal Code, with officers from the Criminal Investigation Department carrying out extensive inquiries into the alleged robbery.
However, investigators soon discovered numerous inconsistencies and gaps in the woman’s account during the course of the investigation.
“Further intelligence gathering and investigations uncovered evidence proving that the robbery never took place,” Mohd Farhan said in a statement.
Faced with the evidence, the woman eventually admitted that the police report she had lodged was false. Investigators later found all the jewellery and cash she claimed had been stolen still in her possession.
As a result, the investigating officer lodged a separate police report against the woman for intentionally providing false information to a public servant.
The case is now being investigated under Section 182 of the Penal Code, which carries a penalty of up to six months’ imprisonment, a fine of up to RM2,000, or both upon conviction.
Police have also reminded the public not to lodge false reports for personal gain or any other purpose, stressing that such actions are serious offences that can result in criminal prosecution.
What began as a dramatic armed robbery claim ultimately ended with the complainant herself becoming the subject of a police investigation.
