Scam and Syndicates in Kuching

I heard the most disturbing news from my friends in Kuching this morning. Apparently there is a syndicate/scam going around in Kuching. Seems there are two different ones from the sound of it. One is the actually kidnapping kids and asking for ransom. Another are scam calling up people to tell them their love ones, kids/bro/etc are kidnapped and if they want their love ones unharm, to come to such and such a place. Of course, for this, no one was actually kidnapped but imagine the horrifying feelings when receiving such calls. I have alerted my brother in Kuching to remind my parents not to believe such things especially since I am so far away from home and not always able to catch their calls.

Babe’s sister also mentioned that their mom’s friend’s son, a primary five boy was kidnapped from his school at SRK stampin and kidnappers are asking for ransom money. Some more, another friend is also telling me that a kid almost got kidnapped after the kid finished tuition and wait for the parents at Hui Sing. The kidnapper just walked up to the kid and start to pull the kid by the hand. Lucky the kid was smart enough and didn’t follow. Instead, sit on the floor and refuse to follow but still the man continue to try and drag the kid. Luckily, another car came by to drop of their kids for tuition and the man ran away in fear!

Babe’s sister also said that the parents of a kid at Lodge School (a private school for the rich in Kuching) received a scam call saying that their kid been kidnapped and ask for money. Luckily it was just a scam and the kid was safe at school. I definitely think there are two groups of syndicate going around. Perhaps they are from one big crime group? Sigh…I seriously don’t know what is going on with Kuching people nowadays. Few months back, the city was plague with snatch thieves, break-in and robbery in broad daylight! And now, kidnapping! I mean the scam aside, kids are actually being kidnapped!!

Sometimes, going around in the hypermarket or the mall, I can see kids running around freely without any adult supervision. Besides the fact that they are causing nuisance to other shoppers there, they are also at risk of being kidnapped and snatched! I don't have kids yet but it really sadden me each time the information counter announced “Will ------- parents come to the information counter immediately” and in the background, you can hear a little girl or boy crying non stop. Most parents might just take it for granted that it wouldn’t happen to them but by the time it does, what to do other than cry, panic and regrets? It is better to take the trouble and make time to take extra precaution than regretting them later. It might be too late by then!

The bad economy situation must have gotten some people really desperate, desperate enough to do drastic and silly things like this even in a small peaceful city like Kuching, Sarawak. To be truthful, I am horrified but am not very surprised. Imagine rice cost as much as RM27 per 10kg bag just for a normal low grade rice. Even 1kg is already RM2.70 and how long can 1kg last for a family of 5 or 10? To make matter worse, vegetable, fish, meat and other groceries are also increasing like crazy. Items such as milk powder are increasing 10-20%. Even Milo has increased price again. Last Friday, it was RM29+ for 2kg bag at Giants Supermarket Kelana Jaya. Is it a wonder that some desperate persons are turning to drastic measures?

Of course, each individual are responsible for their own action but on the side, I am wondering what are the policemen and our government are doing about this? I always try my very best not to say unpleasant things about the people that ‘protect’ us and the peace of our country. BUT ARE they waiting for a well-known someone’s kid to be kidnapped before they decided that enough is enough? How about those normal middle class families with parents earning just enough for a small emergency savings? Don’t their safety and safety of their kids/family count at all? Why does it always have to be something happening to someone important before serious action will be taken?

SO PEOPLE, BE CAREFUL! I KNOW YOU ALWAYS HEAR PEOPLE SAY THIS BUT DON’T TAKE IT FOR GRANTED. TELL YOUR KIDS NEVER TO FOLLOW A STRANGER NO MATTER WHAT THE STRANGER SAID. NEVER!

IF YOU LOVE YOUR KIDS/ NIECES/NEPHEWS/ETC, TELL THEM! ANYONE APPROACH THEM AND TRY TO GRAB THEM, SIT ON THE FLOOR, SCREAM AND KICK. MAKE OTHERS NOTICE WHAT IS GOING ON. KIDNAPPERS HATE ATTENTION!