KUALA LUMPUR: Loan sharks are prowling social media by posting advertisements to entice victims.
MCA Public Services and Complaints Department head Datuk Seri Michael Chong said four people have become the latest victims of these loan sharks, describing them as “scammers”.
In the case of a 23-year old customer service officer, loan sharks hounded her workplace and personal life even after she paid back most of the debt.
The woman, known as Tan, said she borrowed RM5,900 from nine loan sharks she found online but only received around RM1,400 in total.
With Chong’s help, Tan managed to negotiate and settled her debt with seven of the loan sharks by paying about RM15,000 in total, including interest.
“The two others, purportedly named Fast Credit and Credit 88, have refused to settle, and are demanding even more money from Tan.
“Tan had already settled her RM400 loan from Fast Credit by paying RM1,500. But a different phone number, claiming to be the loan shark, continued to harass her for another RM500 interest payment.
“Meanwhile, Credit 88 continues to defame her online and visits her workplace, demanding RM1,600 payment for the RM200 loan she received,” Chong said in a press conference at Wisma MCA here yesterday.
Another victim by the name of Koh, 44, faced similar threats.
“While browsing the internet for a personal loan, Koh was offered one which he accepted. He repaid RM2,000 to the loan shark despite having received RM1,400.
“The loan shark denied receiving the payment and demanded Koh pay again to another account, which he refused. He was harassed and received physical threats.
“Shortly after, two other unknown loan sharks contacted Koh and deposited money into his bank account without his consent. He was then issued similar threats and they demanded interest payments,” Chong said.
A 71-year old victim, known as Lam, was also harassed despite not receiving money from the loan sharks.
Lam had agreed to a RM10,000 loan for his business from an alleged money lending company in an advertisement he saw on Facebook.
“He paid RM400 for a purported documentation fee but was then told to pay another RM900 to complete the loan, which Lam refused. He was willing to forfeit the RM400.
“However, they threatened to sue him in court. He received threats if he didn’t pay the RM900,” Chong said.
A 70-year-old victim, who only wanted to be known as Kum, feared for the safety of his family after his estranged son borrowed money while working in Singapore.
Petrol bombs were flung at Kum’s home in Kuala Lumpur after he refused to pay for the loan.
“My son borrowed S$500 (RM1,646) from a money lender through WhatsApp who then demanded S$2,000 (RM6,587) as repayment. I helped pay RM3,400 last month after the money lender contacted me.
“The money lender demanded another S$5,888 (RM19,393) for the final settlement, which I refused to pay. Petrol bombs were thrown at my house a few days later,” Kum said.
Chong said there was a high likelihood that Malaysian loan sharks were working together with Singapore scam syndicates.
“Everyone should avoid borrowing money from these shady money lenders; don’t engage with them at all and block them (their numbers).
“Never provide your details or pay them anything as you will end up getting blackmailed or worse,” Chong said, adding that he had seen at least 23 such cases this year.
