A 37-year-old man working as a clerk in Singapore lost S$3,000 (RM10,334) to a bogus money lender after trying to apply for a loan. His house in Chaah, Segamat was also splashed with red paint after he refused to give the perpetrators more money.
JOHOR BARU: A 37-year-old man working as a clerk in Singapore has lost S$3,000 (RM10,334) to a bogus moneylender.
The man, who only wanted to be known as Lim, said he was seeking the funds for an investment opportunity.
"I found an advertisement on Facebook and contacted a 'Sky Tan' via WhatsApp and told him I wished to take a S$30,000 (RM103,348) loan," he said.
After signing a document, he was then told to transfer S$3,000 (RM10,334) for the loan funds to be released.
Soon after, Lim became suspicious and checked the loan company's business licence number only to find out it was fake.
"I immediately called Sky to cancel my loan. I was shocked when he said I would need to pay him 20% of my principal loan amount as labour fees if I wanted to cancel it," he said, adding that the suspect threatened to splash his house with red paint or set it on fire.
"I was worried for my own and my family's safety so I negotiated to lower the amount to S$2,000 (RM6,886)," he said, adding that he transferred the funds the same night.
Sky continued to harass him and asked for another S$2,000, and the victim transferred another RM3,400 (around S$1,000) to a Malaysian bank account number.
On May 17, Lim said the man asked for another S$2,000.
Lim refused and lodged a police report in Singapore while his younger sister in Segamat did the same.
"On June 3, my family home in Segamat was splashed with red paint," he said, adding that his family has moved out temporarily out of fear.
Lim also sought help from Bekok assemblyman Tan Chong,
He advised the public not to seek loans online.
"The syndicates are getting bolder by causing fear and threatening others to get their way," said Tan.
