Recently, Chinese social app Time line circulated a "false news," saying that "Ministry of the Interior officials came to ask for identity documents," causing people to worry. However, the news is a rumor, which has been rebuked.
The false security warning message, widely disseminated among the Chinese population, reads as follows:
“Security Alert: Be warned, there is a group going to homes andpretending to be officials from home affairs. They have documents with theletterhead Department of Home Affairs and claim to be confirming that everyonehas a valid ID for the upcoming elections. They are robbing homes. Take notethere is no initiative like that from the government. Send this on yourneighborhood group chat. They are everywhere and they look presentable.
Safety warning: beware, a group of people door by door, pretending to be the Home Office (Deparment of Home Affairs) official. They hold documents on Home Office letterhead and claim to confirm that everyone has a valid identity document to prepare for the upcoming elections. They are actually entering the house and robbing them. Note that government did not act this way. Please forward it to your neighbors and friends. These people are everywhere and look generous. "
However, after investigation, the false security warning spread in South Africa as early as 2016 and has since been widely spread on the Internet and social media.
In response to this rumor, the New State Police Department officially replied, confirming that it was a false warning:
ST. GEORGE POLICE RESPONSE TO RECENT FALSE SOCIAL MEDIA SECURITYALERT
Recent information was published on Chinese social media Wechat about a group of people visiting homes and pretending to be officials from home affairs. The information claims that these persons have documents containing the letterhead of the Department of Home Affairs and are requesting ID documentation from residents to confirm they reside in the area for the upcoming elections. Whilst the resident is obtaining their ID leaving the door unattended, the persons involved are taking the opportunity to enter and steal from the premises.
There have been no reports to Police of these types of incidents in the St. George/Hurstville area. It is believed that the information circulating on social media is not correct and the author is not known.
As is always the case, should any members of the public receive information that appears doubtful, notice anyone or anything that appears out of place or suspicious, please contact your local Police Station for assistance.
For residents of St George Police Area Command, please contact Kogarah Police Station on 8566 7499 or Hurstville Police Station 9375 8599.
Social app has brought many conveniences to the daily life of the Chinese, but because of its convenient and powerful social functions, it has sometimes been used by people with ulterior motives, and has become the birthplace of all kinds of rumors and scams in the Chinese community in Sydney and a hotbed of spread. It also led some Chinese to be deceived by carelessness.
In order to avoid unnecessary worries and fears, I hope that next time you will encounter similar situations, before kindly reminding your family and friends to forward the spread message, think calmly about the authenticity and reliability of the message. And then through real official channels to verify.