Teen arrested for faking Covid-19 swab test result

ISKANDAR PUTERI: Police have arrested a 19-year-old girl for faking a Covid-19 swab test result.

District police chief Assistant Commissioner Dzulkhairi Mukhtar said the arrest was made following a report lodged by the owner of a restaurant in Skudai on Tuesday.

“The owner received a message from the suspect, who is an employee at the restaurant, through WhatsApp with a photo of a letter that stated the suspect tested positive for Covid-19.

“Following that, the owner had to close the restaurant and went to a clinic with 12 other employees to undergo swab tests, which turned out negative,” said Dzulkhairi.

He said the owner then confronted the suspect who admitted that she lied so that she did not have to show up for work as she felt she was not suitable to work as a waitress at the restaurant.

“The owner said the suspect started working at the restaurant the day before.”

He said the case was being investigated under Sections 420 and 468 of the Penal Code for cheating and dishonestly inducing delivery of property and for forgery for the purpose of cheating.

He said the police would apply for a remand order against the suspect.