Johor Police chief Wan Ahmad Najmuddin Mohd said yesterday that 76 false reports on loss of identity cards or passports were detected this year, as of Dec 18, and 41 people had been charged in court with the offence.

He said investigations revealed that those who lodged false reports on loss of identity cards or passports did so to avoid being fined by the National Registration Department for losing the documents.

“They lodged reports saying that they were victims of snatch theft to avoid paying the fine, but in the end, it gives them more problems,” he told reporters at Seri Alam police headquarters yesterday.

He said a thorough investigation would be carried out by the police on every report lodged.

He said Kulai district recorded the highest number of false reports (41), followed by Johor Bahru Selatan (19), Kluang (six), Batu Pahat (three), while Kota Tinggi, Seri Alam and Johor Bahru Utara recorded two false reports each and Muar one false report.