KOTA KINABALU: Two debt collectors have been arrested on suspicion of threatening an individual in the Tawau district.
Tawau OCPD Asst Comm Jasmin Hussin said the two suspects, both locals aged 29 and 31, were arrested around Felda Umas in Kalabakan at around 10pm on Tuesday (Aug 27).
He said the duo were suspected of acting on behalf of moneylenders and going around asking debtors to pay up by use of threats.
A police report was lodged by the alleged victim who claimed that the two men splashed red paint on the door of his house on Saturday (Aug 24) and left a note asking him to pay up.
“According to the complainant, he also received a voice message from an individual threatening to burn his car and family if he did not (repay) his loan, and that they knew his whereabouts,” ACP Jasmin said here on Wednesday (Aug 28).
Following the report, a team from the district Commercial Crime unit conducted an investigation which led it to the two suspects.
A check of the suspects’ vehicles found an empty bottle with traces of red paint, a warning note and a red pen, among other items, ACP Jasmin added.
He said it was believed that the suspects had been hired by online moneylenders.
One suspect also had a drug offence on his record, he said, adding that the men have been remanded until Friday (Aug 30) for investigation under the Moneylenders Act 1951.
ACP Jasmin urged the public to refrain from borrowing money from unlicensed individuals or companies and not to download suspicious phone applications to avoid becoming victims.
