Comm Kumar holding up one of the threatening notes seized from the suspects.
JOHOR BARU: The arrest of six men led police to uncover a loan shark syndicate offering "job opportunities" that involved splashing paint and hurling Molotov cocktails at people’s homes.
Johor police chief Comm M. Kumar said the six suspects were arrested in several raids in Negri Sembilan and Kuala Lumpur over three days from June 28.
“The men, aged 35 to 51, took up the job offers posted on Facebook as they were drawn in by the prospect of earning RM700 to hurl Molotov cocktails and RM400 to splash paint on victims’ houses.
“They were also required by their employer to record themselves in action as a sign of completing the job before they were paid,” he told a press conference at state police headquarters here on Thursday (July 11).
The syndicate has been actively offering such job opportunities since April, he added.
Comm Kumar said the six were linked to at least 24 cases of committing mischief and mischief by fire in Johor, Melaka, Negri Sembilan, Kuala Lumpur, Selangor, Pahang and Perak.
“Five of the suspects tested positive for methamphetamine. We also seized three vehicles, six mobile phones, three handwritten notes with threatening messages, facemasks, stationery and clothes.
“All of them have been remanded until Sunday (July 14) to aid in the investigation,” he added.
The case was being investigated under Section 435 of the Penal Code for mischief by fire and Section 427 for committing mischief; as well as Section 29B of the Moneylenders Act 1951 and Section 15(1)(a) of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952.
