“Be Careful!” M’sians Warned of Robbers’ ‘Tap Tactic’ to Trick People Into Opening Doors

Malaysians are being reminded once again to stay alert, as robbers are reportedly using a new trick to lure people into opening their front doors by switching on outdoor water taps.

Photo via Facebook (Viral Muafakat Johor)

The warning came from a woman in Penang who shared her experience on the Viral Muafakat Johor Facebook page. She explained that the incident happened in Taman Air Tawar Indah, Teluk Air Tawar, one afternoon after Asar prayers.

While she was at home with her baby, she first heard a man’s voice calling from outside her gate. At first, it sounded like he was standing far away. But after a while, the voice became louder, as though the man had entered her compound and was now standing closer to her front door.

Choosing to ignore him, she stayed inside, only to later hear the sound of running water. When her husband returned home, they discovered both their outdoor tap and the neighbour’s had been turned on full blast, wasting water that was spilling onto the road.

What unsettled her was that both gates were locked, and the taps could not be reached without climbing over the wall. She believed this was likely an attempt to force her or her neighbour to step outside to switch off the tap, possibly leaving them vulnerable to a robbery.

Fortunately, nothing happened because she stayed indoors. She later lodged a police report and emphasised that similar cases have been reported in other states too.

PSA: If you ever notice your outdoor tap suddenly turned on, or hear unusual sounds outside your home, don’t rush out immediately. Stay cautious, check from a safe distance, or call someone you trust for help. When in doubt, it is always better to stay inside and contact the authorities.