SERDANG: Police have received 14 false police reports on snatch theft cases here this year.

       Serdang OCPD Asst Comm A. A. Anbalagan said the latest report received was on Monday (Sept 6).

       "We received a report from a woman who claimed that she became a victim while buying food along Jalan Bandar 8, Pusat Bandar Puchong.

       "Our investigating officer began probing the case and found that the individual lodged a false report," he said in a statement on Wednesday (Sept 8).

       He said an investigation paper was opened and the suspect is expected to be charged for lodging a false report under Section 182 of the Penal Code at the Petaling Jaya Court Complex on Thursday (Sept 9).

       "We take the matter seriously and will not hesitate to take stern action against those who lodge such reports.

       "Our checks revealed that this year alone we have received 14 false reports involving robberies and snatch theft.

       "We found through our investigations that many of them did so after they lost their identification documents through their own carelessness," he said, adding that these irresponsible individuals resorted to these acts to avoid being issued a fine by the National Registration Department.

       He advised the public to refrain from lodging any false report as it was punishable under Section 182 of the Penal Code, which provides a maximum jail term of six months or a RM2,000 fine or both upon conviction.