This is a real story. Thanks to my friend, Ramlan. Others out there, BEWARE. U have been warned! Read on.
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Hi Guys…
I just want to share something important with everybody in the office.
Few months back, I took a cab to MNI as I sent my car for the periodic service. While in the cab, the cab driver started a conversation with me about his gruesome experience as a cab driver. He told me to be very careful with foreigner especially from Middle East countries when they approach us to ask about currency or to change money. He told me that many cab drivers have fallen into their tricks and maybe “pukau†as they have lost all their money at hand.
Their modus operandi is like this. The man (mostly have Arabic accent) will approach you and ask about money changer location or asking you about the currency rates. He will then show you his money, most of the time USD100 dollar note and ask how much he will get in MYR. He will then ask you to look at your money to view sample of RM10.00 and RM50.00. Mot of us keep RM50 dollar note in the wallet. When we opened the wallet, that is the time we will fall into their trap or maybe “pukau†as we will willingly give all our money to him.
At the time of hearing the story from the cab driver, I did not take it very seriously but I remembered the story very well. And, my memory has helped me yesterday. The following is my true encounter with such criminal.
I was waiting in my car with my eldest son for my brothers to arrive from Taiping at the side parking of Toll Jalan Duta at around 11am. When my brother arrived, I wanted to reverse my car and lead him to Ramli’s house in Cheras. When I started to reverse slowly, a Proton Waja (gold colour with registration number PGD9603) stopped behind my car. There were 2 men in the car. The passenger got out from the car and gave “salam†while approaching my car. From his accent, I can tell that he is from a Middle East country. I wound down the window and then he asked me the location of the nearest money changer. At that point of time, I did not suspect anything. After telling him that money changers are located at most of the shopping complexes, he asked me to view RM50.00 dollar note. The reason he explained why he wanted to view RM50 dollar note so that he won’t get cheated afterwards. He also showed me his USD100.00 note. At this time, I began to feel suspicious and remembered the story of the cab driver. I decided to go along with the plot to see what will happen next. My brothers in two separate cars began to show interests in what is going on.
I slipped my hand into my right pocket trousers and brought out RM1.00 dollar note and showed him. He insisted to look at RM50.00 note. I then brought out RM10.00 dollar note from the same pocket and showed to him. The middle east man began to be pushy. After failing to get me to show my wallet with the RM50.00 note, he point out his index finger to my left pocket. He said “Your other pocket, very big, sure got money†and he said this twice. I began to feel angry and I told him that I don’t have RM50.00 note with an angry voice. My right hand grasped my folded knive located in the utility area at the driver’s door in case if he tried to be nasty. I am willing to do anything at that time if he shows any kind of violence.
When he felt threatened with my rage, he immediately back off and drove away with his friend. He then stopped again 20 meters ahead to do the same to another driver who was stopping at the side of the road. My brothers and I stopped at the road side and the two “pak Arab†immediately drove away in their car. I asked the Chinese man and he told me that the Middle East men asked him to show RM50.00 dollar note and he already knew about the scam. He only showed RM1.00 note and told them he has no money.
So guys, please be very careful about this type of people and please warn your friends and siblings. Do not fall into their trap.
