Police warn rich and famous: Flaunting wealth online may attract criminals
Bukit Aman Criminal Investigation Department (CID) director Datuk Seri Mohd Shuhaily Mohd Zain said this is because criminals actively monitor social media to track the daily activities of potential victims.
"They closely observe assets, residential locations, times when the victims are not home, types of vehicles, and security features such as closed-circuit television (CCTV) systems," he said in an exclusive interview with Kosmo! recently.
Shuhaily said that influencers often, perhaps unknowingly, reveal excessive personal information including locations, expensive items, and daily routines on their social media accounts.
"This makes it easier for criminals to devise strategies to commit crimes such as robbery," he said.
Shuhaily cited two burglary cases involving influencers that were reported last year, one in Gombak, Selangor, and another in Seberang Perai Utara, Penang.
"In both cases, the perpetrators are believed to have conducted detailed research on the victims through social media before the attacks," he said.
In the first case, the victim, a cosmetics entrepreneur, suffered losses amounting to RM3.5 million after her home in Gombak was broken into.
The second case in Penang involved a popular food business owner who lost RM449,930 worth of valuables.
Previously, Kosmo! reported that prominent entrepreneur Liana Rosli, also known as Kak KM, lost millions of ringgit after burglars made off with a safe containing jewellery from her home last year.
Police managed to arrest the suspect within 24 hours and recovered the stolen items. It was revealed that the suspect had previously requested the victim's address under the pretext of collecting products.
Meanwhile, influencer and entrepreneur Kieda Crepe reported losses of RM800,000 after her home was burgled in April 2024, with a safe containing jewellery stolen.
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