RAK Police dismiss child kidnap rumours

Ras Al Khaimah - "All areas of the emirate are safe and secure, and none of the alleged cars or drivers have been reported or spotted."

The Ras Al Khaimah (RAK) Police on Monday denied reports circulated on social media about some drivers roaming the emirate to kidnap young children.
Major-General Ali Abdullah bin Alwan Al Nuaimi, Commander-in-Chief of the RAK Police, said such reports are nothing but baseless rumours widely shared on social media websites.
"All areas of the emirate are safe and secure, and none of the alleged cars or drivers have been reported or spotted."
It is actually unsafe and destabilising for some people to just share these rumours on social media without verifying the same with the law enforcement bodies concerned, he added.
"Everyone is free to break the news and share interesting stories, yet without risking the security and stability of the country in general and the emirate in particular."
Maj-Gen Al Nuaimi warned. "As per the cybercrime law, promoting such illegal rumours is a sheer violation of law, and shall be penalised." Mohammed Akram, A Syrian resident, told Khaleej Times: "I was scared and kept my two boys and daughter indoors for fear that they might be hurt of kidnapped by those unknown strangers, but that luckily proved to be just a rumour as affirmed by the RAK Police."
Mohammed Al Sarie, cyber crimes expert, said: "People should be careful about what they share on social media to avoid such groundless hassle and panic."
"Only trust those you know well," advised Dr Mohammed Rabie, media expert.
"Verify whatever you want to post in advance, and bear in mind that so many social media accounts are run by fraudsters and hackers."
ahmedshaaban@khaleejtimes.com

• Ras Al Khaimah