KUALA LUMPUR: Loan sharks are taking to social media to "hunt" for prey as well as harass them, with another four Malaysians learning things the hard way.
MCA Public Services and Complaints Department (PSCD) head Datuk Seri Michael Chong said the four victims have since experienced severe defamation online, with one even experiencing an actual physical life-threatening attack.
A 23-year old customer service officer known as Tan said the loan sharks went as far as hounding her at her workplace, even though she claimed that she had paid back most of her debt.
Tan had initially tried to borrow RM5,900 from nine loan sharks she found online, though receiving only around RM1,400 in total.
With help from Chong, Tan managed to negotiate and settle her debts with seven of the loan sharks by paying about RM15,000 in total.
“The other two remaining loan shark businesses, named Fast Credit and Credit 88, have refused to settle and are seemingly demanding even more money from Tan.
“Tan had already settled her RM400 loan with Fast Credit by paying RM1,500 to them but a different phone number has continued to harass her for another RM500 interest payment.
“Meanwhile, Credit 88 continues to defame her online and visit her workplace as they demand RM1,600 payment for the RM200 loan she got from them,” Chong said in a press conference at Wisma MCA on Wednesday (Sep 18).
Another victim by the name of Koh, 44, faced similar threats after loan sharks began demanding he pay interest for loans he had never even agreed to.
“While browsing the internet for a personal loan, Koh was offered one which he accepted, and then paid RM2,000 to the loan shark later on despite only having received RM1,400.
“The loan shark denied having received the payment and demanded Koh pay again to another account, which he refused before facing similar harassment and physical threats.
“Shortly after, two other unknown loan sharks then contacted Koh and deposited money into his bank account without his consent, before issuing similar threats and demanding interest payments,” he said.
A 71-year old victim, known as Lam, was also harassed despite having not even received any money from these loan sharks.
Lam had agreed to a RM10,000 loan for his own business from an alleged money lending company in an ad he saw on Facebook.
“He then paid RM400 for supposed documentation fees but was then told to pay another RM900 to complete the loan, which Lam refused and willingly chose to forfeit the RM400 he already paid.
“However, the scammers have threatened to sue him in court and even physical violence if he doesn't pay the RM900,” Chong said.
Another 70-year old victim who only wanted to be known as Kum, said his family members suffered physical attacks after his estranged son who is currently working in Singapore borrowed money online.
Kum is now worried after petrol bombs were flung at Kum’s home in Kuala Lumpur after refusing to pay an extortionate amount of "interest" for his son’s small loan.
“He borrowed SGD500 (RM1,750) from a money lender through WhatsApp, who then demanded SGD2,000 (RM7,000) repayment. I helped pay RM3,400 last month after the money lender contacted me.
“The money lender then demanded another SGD5,888 (RM19,293) for the final settlement, which I refused only to then have petrol bombs thrown at my home a few days later,” Kum said.
Based on this, Chong said there was a high likelihood all the Malaysian loan sharks were working together with Singapore scam syndicates.
“Everyone should avoid ever borrowing money from these shady money lenders, don't engage them at all and block them.
“Never ever provide them your details or pay them anything as it will just lead to you getting blackmailed or worse,” Chong said, adding that he has seen at least 23 such online loan shark cases in this year.
