Singapore influencer fined over false abduction claim

A Malaysian court has fined a Singaporean influencer for falsely claiming she was nearly kidnapped at a shopping center near the Malaysia-Singapore border. The influencer, named Amyra Laila Ho, posted on social media that a couple forced her to smell tea, causing her to feel dizzy and numb, and attempted to kidnap her, a post that quickly went viral.

However, police stated that their investigation findings refuted her claims. Her post rapidly spread online, sparking discussions about safety concerns in Johor Bahru. Johor Bahru is located at the end of a roughly one-kilometer causeway connecting southern Malaysia and northern Singapore, with millions of people crossing daily, making it one of the world's busiest border crossings.

According to Singaporean and Malaysian media reports, Ho admitted to providing false information to the police and was fined 1,000 ringgit (approximately $228 USD; £183), which she paid on the spot. The detailed post Ho made on her Instagram account (named Venus Ho) describing the alleged kidnapping attempt also appears to have been deleted. She claimed the kidnapping attempt occurred after she refused to buy tea from the couple.

She added that they then tried to kidnap her. The man grabbed her arm, pretending to be her husband, while the woman took her bag containing 400 ringgit. She said her alleged attackers fled and pushed her to the ground when passersby began to notice what was happening. Johor state (which includes Johor Bahru) police chief M Kumar told reporters, "Based on CCTV footage and technical evidence, no movement involving the victim was found at the location."

Malaysian police stated that after Ho posted about the alleged kidnapping attempt, "social media influencers also commented on the matter, describing it as a threat to the safety of tourists traveling to Johor." The police added that they would take stern action against "anyone who intentionally spreads rumors or distorts facts to cause public anxiety, especially regarding security issues." According to Singaporean media, approximately 300,000 commuters pass through the causeway daily. Singapore and Malaysia also recently designated the area as a special economic zone, hoping to attract more investment.