KUALA LUMPUR: A woman thief using her small children as a decoy has switched to issuing dud cheques in her sting on her latest victim.

The woman, in her 30s, would be carrying a baby and be accompanied by a 10-year-old girl to make her unsuspecting victims less suspicious.

She would steal items from the shop she entered while her elder child distracted the store manager.

Her latest victim was a 26-year-old florist, who identified herself only as Tan. She claimed she was cheated of RM820 worth of flowers and gifts. Her handphone was also stolen during the July 28 incident.

At a press conference organised by MCA Public Services and Complaints Department here yesterday, Tan said she received a call at 7pm on that day from a woman claiming to be Yoong saying that she wanted to do some bookings for flowers.

"Ten minutes later, the woman accompanied by the baby and the girl came into the shop," Tan said.

Tan said that they had a conversation while the girl started choosing the toys and gifts in the shop.

"Yoong asked me to get some water for her daughter as she was feeling ill."

"While taking the water, I noticed the girl entering the office and I told her to go out," she said adding that Yoong then issued her a cheque as payment for the goods she wanted.

Department head Datuk Michael Chong said that the cheque was from a closed account and Tan had lodged a police report.

He added that police said they have already received 12 reports involving the woman with a baby and a girl.

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Thief on the prowl - with little girl accomplice