NEVER take responsibility of a stranger’s luggage when travelling. This was the caution rendered by self-proclaimed online news portal MYNEWSHUB (@mynewshub) on the X platform.
The poster further advised airline passengers to be wary of strangers who appear extremely gregarious and over-friendly.
He recalled a recent trip to Dubai where he met an acquaintance in a very chatty makcik. She had asked for help putting her luggage in the overhead compartment but being physically short, a fellow passenger lent a hand.
The makcik was indeed very friendly and their conversation continued unabated until they almost reached their destination whereupon she suddenly complained of severe stomach aches and gripped the poster’s arm, calling him “son”.
Upon landing, the fellow passenger who had earlier helped with the bag whispered to the poster to be wary of this makcik. He advised to let the cabin crew handle her.
The poster heeded his advice and alerted the cabin crew who brought a wheelchair. The poster was queried if he knew the makcik to which he informed that they had just met on the flight.
Upon disembarking, the makcik called for the poster to carry her handbag to which the earlier fellow passenger signalled to the poster – by vigourously shaking his head – to refrain from doing so.
The poster was grateful that he heeded the advice as shortly after, the makcik who was then on a wheelchair, made a run with her luggage. However, the airport police apprehended her for attempting to smuggle contraband and had had wanted to use the poster as an unsuspecting mule.
The makcik even went on to claim that the poster and her were related but her plot was quickly shot down as she could not give his full name.
Nevertheless, the poster recounted being interrogated by the police and his luggage thoroughly searched before being released.
Following this incident, he would call the cabin crew if anyone asked for his assistance on a flight.
He shared this as a cautionary tale, especially for those who rake up plenty of frequent flyer miles, contending that it is always better to be safe than sorry.
His lengthy post has generated 245.3K views with plenty of feedback. One netizen shared that he would adopt an “unfriendly” demeanour while still in the airport to avoid such incidences. He would only start “making friends” once outside the airport.
Another commented that having read similar incidents, it appears that the same modus operandi was being recycled to dupe unsuspecting passengers.
One netizen cautioned too not be over-friendly even when a person claims to be from the same hometown.
While another further counselled to be extra careful even if it is just a domestic flight.
One netizen pointed out that such incidences would prevent people who really require help from getting any, alluding to her late non-English speaking mother who travelled alone to London to visit her.
Quite a few netizens mocked the poster as they felt this was just a copy and paste job in an attempt to get clicks.
Regardless, it did serve as a good reminder not to trust anyone during a flight.
- Focus Malaysia
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