In an unusual turn of events, two housewives in Sandakan fabricated a robbery story after pawning their mobile phones to purchase cosmetics. Fearful of their husbands reactions, the women, aged 20 and 34, resorted to filing false reports with the police.

Sandakan District Police Chief, Assistant Commissioner Abdul Fuad Abdul Malek, revealed that the women claimed they had been robbed at knifepoint by three men in the city center around 7 p.m. on the day of the incident. According to their report, the alleged robbers had taken their mobile phones and RM136 in cash.

However, inconsistencies in their statements raised suspicions among investigators. "Based on information and investigations, police found their statements inconsistent and suspicious," Abdul Fuad said in a press statement on Thursday.

Further probing uncovered the truth: there had been no robbery. Instead, the women had pawned their phones at a local pawnshop in an effort to buy makeup.

"The two suspects acted out of desperation to buy cosmetic products but were afraid of their husbands' reaction," he explained.

The women were subsequently detained and are now under investigation for giving false information, an offense punishable under Section 182 of the Penal Code. If found guilty, they could face up to six months in prison, a fine of RM2,000, or both.

Abdul Fuad cautioned the public against making false police reports, emphasizing the seriousness of the offense. "The public is advised not to act in such a manner," he added.

Source: NST