Warning message on ‘organ-trafficking gangs’ is fake, Malaysian police say

Social media posts claiming to spread an “urgent notice” from the Malaysian Home Ministry and the police about organ-trafficking gangs that use street children to lure victims have circulated widely in the country. The claim has been shared hundreds of times on Facebook. However, the claim is false. The Malaysian police, a division under the Ministry of Home Affairs, say the viral message is fake.

A purported warning from the Malaysian Home Ministry and the police about “organ-trafficking rings using street children” was posted on Facebook here on September 7, 2022.

“URGENT NOTICE Ministry of Home Affairs . From all police stations to all citizens,” the post's caption reads. “There are street urchins now carrying papers with their home addresses written on them and claiming that they are missing. If you see these children, do not take them to the written address because people are waiting for you there to kill you, steal your organs, or rape you, so we ask you to take them to the nearest police station or the nearest emergency patrol and immediately report them.

“Please distribute this. This is true, and we confirm that they hand them over to the nearest police station or the nearest patrol that you find. Don't try to be a hero or a good Samaritan. Send it to all your contacts. -Rescue team.”

The post has been shared more than 280 times since.

The same claim also circulated on Facebook here, here and here.

The claim, however, is false.

A keyword search on Google found this media statement from the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM), posted on its official Facebook page on September 7, 2022, denying the viral claim that there are criminal activities conducted using street children.

The first two paragraphs of the statement state: “The Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) has detected one (1) message spreading on social media that is alleged to be a ‘warning notice from the Ministry of Home Affairs and police stations nationwide'. The message alleges there are people using street urchins who carry papers with their home address as a tactic to get help to be sent home. Any individual who helps bring such children to the alleged address will be killed, organs stolen and raped.

“PDRM confirmed that the viral message is fake and was never issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs (KDN) nor PDRM. An investigation also confirmed that no police reports had been received in relation to criminal incidents as shared.”

When contacted by AFP, a Home Affairs Ministry spokesperson pointed out that PDRM, which is under the purview of the ministry, has already issued a statement on the matter.