‘If nothing is signed, then there is no loan’

KUALA LUMPUR: A fed-up Datuk Seri Michael Chong cannot figure out why some Malaysians are still taken in by loan scams.

The MCA Public Services and Complaints Department head routinely poses as a relative of victims to help settle issues with scammers.

“I call the scammer’s phone number and confront him.

“After the syndicate members realises they have been exposed, these criminals shut down their phones and vanish.

“But some escalate by harassing victims at their homes,” he said.

It is amazing how people could fall for such scams, he added.

“The victims never saw the moneylenders or signed any documents.

“When you don’t sign anything, there is no real loan,” he said.

Chong said he repeatedly advised people to ignore these scammers.

“If you are in financial trouble, how do you expect to settle all the extra charges?” he asked.

“I have conducted various press conferences to highlight the issue but people are still being cheated,” he said.

Chong said nine victims came forward to seek his help this year.

“Their total losses are almost half a million ringgit,” he said.