Viral video of snatch theft just a prank

KOTA KINABALU - The Kota Kinabalu police have confirmed that the viral video of a snatch theft incident at a gold shop was just an prank.

The district acting police chief Superintendent Kalsom Idris said the premise had confirmed that the three minutes and 32 seconds video was intended to raise the public's awareness about the possibility of a snatch theft incident.

"The video had gone viral on social media since 2pm yesterday showing a man approaching a female customer in a gold shop in this district.

"Suddenly, the man snatched the basket containing jewellery bought by the victim at the premise before running away," he said in a statement today.

He added following the viral video, the Kota Kinabalu District Police Headquarters (IPD) had conducted intelligence work by contacting the premise to confirm the incident.

"The management later confirmed that the incident was just an act and a made up situation, or in other words a prank.

"The video is an initiative to raise awareness among the public to always be careful and be aware of their surroundings to avoid becoming victims of snatch theft," he said.

In this regard, Kalsom said the manager of the premise was asked to lodge a police report to verify that the video was only an act and to explain to netizens the purpose of sharing the video on social media.

"This is to avoid anxiety and public fear, especially in this district.

"The public is asked not to create any speculation regarding the footage and not to easily believe any issue circulating on social media without getting confirmation from the party involved," he said.