JAKARTA, 17 May 2008 - Police advised the public to ignore a Short Messaging Service (SMS) text involving a so-called group of black magic followers from Indonesia trying their witchcraft through the telecommunication network. The text told people not to pick up their mobile phone if the colour of the caller number flashing on the phone was in red, claiming the black magic followers were trying their 'ilmu' (knowledge) through phone.

It also claimed that if people answered the call they would die. A district Police Chief, Jaafar Muhammad Yusof told the public not to believe the SMS, saying it is irrational and illogical. "We do not know the purpose behind this but the public should not be influenced and be worried by it," he said, adding his friends from Kuala Lumpur had also forwarded him the same SMS. It was learnt the SMS was spread since Wednesday night.

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