In response to online claims, the Judiciary Police (PJ) has issued a press release to deny inhalant abuse cases had been found in Macau.
A post has gone viral on several social media platforms, including but not limited to WeChat and Douyin – the parent version of Tik Tok – claiming gangs of foreigners were abusing inhalants and intoxicating people in Macau.
The social media post came with a picture depicting a man with a mask hanging loosely on his right ear, and a woman holding a girl, as well as several other children of various ages.
The caption stated: Beware of foreign huffing gang! This man and the children ask people around for money. They were spotted in San Ma Lo and the Three Lampposts. Do not talk with them. Annie’s friend has fallen victim, gone to withdraw money, given them the money and even told them the ATM password.
In light of the social media post, the PJ noted in the statement that so far, no such report has been received by the PJ. Other government departments have also inspected the posts and found the claim unfounded.
“As such, the PJ reminds the public to verify messages before they share them over the internet or social media platforms, so as not to cause unnecessary speculation or panic,” the PJ wrote.
Despite the myth buster, the PJ reminded members of the public to be vigilant of unknown people around them. They also reminded the public to be cautious of accepting information from others too readily and to be careful accepting an unknown person’s identity claims, to avoid falling into criminal traps.
“Should any suspicion of crime arise, the PJ should be notified by phone at 993,” the PJ added.
