Enough is enough: Yuen (seated, second left) at the press conference called on MCMC and other authorities to block moneylending advertisements on social media platforms. — RONNIE CHIN/The Star
IPOH: Despite having paid off her son’s debts, a former eatery worker is still being harassed by loan sharks.
Chin Poh Wan, who is currently unemployed, said loan sharks have threatened to kidnap her 20-year-old son and burn down her parents’ and neighbours’ houses in Gopeng if she did not pay them.
“They threatened to sell him to Vietnam and burn down several houses in the neighbourhood where my parents live.
“I would get up to seven calls from unknown numbers on WhatsApp every day,” the 42-year-old told a press conference by state MCA Public Services and Complaints bureau chief Charles Yuen yesterday.
“I have switched off my mobile phone to avoid getting harassed.”
Chin also said Molotov cocktails have been thrown at her parents’ home twice in mid-November and last week.
“In the first incident, my car was damaged.
“Recently, my father’s and two of my neighbours’ cars were damaged as the Molotov cocktails were also thrown at their homes,” she said, adding that electricity supply to her parents’ home has also been cut off due to burnt cables.
She said her son had in October clicked on a moneylending advertisement on Facebook to borrow about S$3,000.
“After giving his particulars, S$500 was deposited into his account but he was required to pay S$700 to secure the remaining sum.
“Feeling something amiss, my son returned the money and blocked the number,” she said.
“Later, the loan sharks started to harass and threaten me.
“I asked them how much was needed to settle the matter and they agreed on RM31,200, which I paid them.
“However, I got another call, saying that my son still owed them money and they continued to threaten us,” she added.
Chin said since she had quit her job, she could not pay the loan sharks.
“I hope they will stop harassing my family and neighbours,” she said.
Yuen said he had spoken to the investigating officer on the case and was told that one suspect, believed to be involved in setting fire at her parents’ house, has been arrested and that investigations are ongoing.
“This is a serious matter as it involves not just one family but also their neighbours,” he said.
“I urge the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission to block moneylending advertisements on social media platforms.
“We also call on the local authorities to remove such adverts placed on lamp posts and along the streets.”
