Beware of strangers offering prayers in home visits in theft ploy

The public should be wary of strangers approaching them in their homes to offer prayers as thieves are using this as a ploy to commit theft.

The police issued a media statement on Monday following reports of such incidents. Culprits approached residents in their flats, holding a framed picture of Buddha and a container for donations while requesting to enter the flat or simply entering without invitation.

Their aim is to gain entry into units and distract the victim while accomplices search for valuables. The police are also looking for culprits of reported cases with the following descriptions: three male subjects believed to be Indian, two of whom appeared to be in their thirties or forties and one in his fifties. All spoke to victims in Tamil and Malay.

Residents are advised to be wary of strangers, refrain from keeping large sums of cash and valuables in their residence, and keep a lookout for any suspicious behaviour. Those who have information on such crimes or wish to report anything suspicious should call the police hotline at 1800-255 0000 or 999 for urgent assistance.

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