Police probe claims by tourist that cops extorted him of $800

Police probe claims by tourist that cops extorted him of $800

In the post on Reddit, the tourist claimed he was walking back to his hotel about 3am near Pudu when two policemen on patrol stopped him and asked him to hand over his bag.

POLICE are probing allegations on social media that a tourist in Kuala Lumpur was extorted of $800 by two policemen.

In the post on Reddit, the tourist claimed he was walking back to his hotel about 3am near Pudu when two policemen on patrol stopped him and asked him to hand over his bag.

"I had my tablet and some detergent in the bag. They also asked me to empty all my pockets and gathered my stuff in their motorcycle.

"They also asked me to unlock my phone and tablet. They noticed an adult Telegram channel and a crypto exchange app.

"They made a big deal about it and noticing how much crypto I had, they tried to frame me as a money launderer," claimed the tourist.

He went on to alleged that the policemen informed him that he could be fined up to $10,000 if he was taken to court.

"This is the first time I am dealing with the police ... so I was panicking, especially since I was walking home alone at 3am.

"They then led me to an alley and demanded $400 each and then took me with their motorcycle to my hotel.

"There, they gave me my key card and asked me to get the money," he claimed.

He alleged that he then got his phone, tablet and wallet back after passing them the money.

"This incident scars me and shatters my views about Malaysia. I know there are some bad apples, but I am never going to visit Malaysia again," he wrote.

The tourist also claimed that he got his money back after going to the Dang Wangi district police headquarters and was even permitted to scold the two policemen in front of other officers.

In a statement, Dang Wangi police chief Sulizmie Affendy Sulaiman said no report had since been lodged on the incident.

"However, we are investigating," he added. - March 6, 2025