Gov't doesn't conduct house-to-house test, Ismail says after scam scare

CORONAVIRUS | The public is advised that health authorities do not conduct house-to-house Covid-19 swab tests with the exception of areas placed under enhanced movement control order (MCO), Defence Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob said today.

He said this following a message and images that have gone viral on social media of an alleged scam in which individuals purporting to be Health Ministry officers arriving at a person's home in a ministry van on the pretext of conducting door-to-door tests.

Ismail added that the Health Ministry has since lodged a police report the matter.

"I believe the ministry lodged a police report and the police will act immediately.

"The ministry does not conduct house-to-house swab tests except at places classified under enhanced MCO area," he said during his press briefing at Putrajaya today.

Ismail (photo) who is also the senior minister in charge of security, reminded people to be cautious of scams by those looking to capitalise over fears during the coronavirus pandemic.

The people should check with the authorities if any similarly suspicious interactions or incidents occur in the future.

"It could be a swab test, but it could be a more dangerous situation as these people could rob (the residents)," he said.

In a statement today, Shah Alam district police chief Baharudin Mat Taib said the police received two reports - one from the ministry yesterday, the other from the resident today - over the incident that took place at Bukit Subang in Shah Alam.

"(The police) have conducted an investigation and found out that a misunderstanding took place between the complainant and the individuals who went to the houses of the complainant.

"The vehicle's number plate which being circulated was 'wrong and inaccurate' to the point that it created a perception that another vehicle existed.

"The three individuals whose pictures went viral on social media have been verified as health ministry officers and the van owned by Petaling District Health Office," he said.

He said the health officers were there to monitor the progress of the patient under investigation for Covid-19 at 2pm on June 14.

"We hope all parties will stop circulating these pictures and cease spreading the issue," he said.

Taking to Facebook today, the Health Ministry also clarified the purported scam.

"The accusation where the ministry's van was used in a scam was fake. The van belongs to the ministry, and the staff were the members of the ministry," said the ministry.

The ministry pointed out the district health office would contact members of the public before going to their houses in future.  - Mkini