Retired government worker swindled of RM2,500 by ‘chatty’ pickpocket

KOTA KINABALU: A 59-year-old retired government employee lost RM2,500 in cash and other personal items to a woman pickpocket while having lunch in Kota Marudu, located in northern Sabah.

The incident occurred when the retiree was reviewing the menu at a restaurant in the town district. Surveillance footage from the restaurant, which has been circulating on social media since Saturday (July 27), captured the entire event.

According to Kota Marudu District Police Chief Supt Zairolnizal Ishak, the theft took place around 12:30 p.m. on July 20. The victim realized her wallet, containing RM1,800, several bank cards, her retiree card, and driving license, was missing and reported the incident at 8:25 p.m.

Supt Zairolnizal explained that there were two CCTV cameras at the restaurant, one inside and one outside. The footage showed an unidentified woman approaching the victim at 12:37 p.m., pretending to view the menu alongside her. During their interaction, the suspect engaged the victim in conversation while stealthily reaching into her handbag and stealing the wallet.

The suspect was seen placing the stolen wallet into her own handbag before exiting the restaurant. At the time, the victim did not notice the theft due to the presence of many other customers.

The CCTV footage also showed the suspect leaving the restaurant and walking across the road to a white Proton Iswara car, which then drove away. Unfortunately, the vehicle’s registration plate was not captured.

“We are currently searching for the woman, who is believed to be in her 40s,” Supt Zairolnizal said. He added that the police are not ruling out the possibility that the suspect may be a local resident.

The case is being investigated under Section 380 of the Penal Code for theft. The police are urging anyone with information about the incident to contact them immediately.