Cops nab two debt collectors for splashing Sandakan house with red paint

KOTA KINABALU: Two suspected debt collectors, who chained up a premises' gate and threw red paint, were arrested by police in Sandakan.

Policemen from the Sandakan police Commercial Crime Investigation Department arrested the suspects aged 19 and 35, who allegedly threatened a victim when they demanded debt repayment.

They are also alleged to have locked the front gate of the premises and splashed red paint on the Taman Bahagia home on May 16.

Sandakan OCPD Supt Mohd Hamizi Halim said the two suspects were arrested on Tuesday (May 30) morning.

He said the investigation found that the incident was suspected to have been carried out by an illegal money lender.

The money lender had hired the suspects to commit the crime, he said, adding that the debt collectors had been operating in Sandakan and neighbouring Lahad Datu districts since the end of last year.

He said police believed they had solved at least five similar cases committed by the suspects.

He said that a background check on the 35-year-old suspect found that he had five previous criminal records related to crime and drugs.

He said police would request a remand order for the two suspects to carry out further investigations under section 5 (2) of the Money Lenders Act 1951 and Section 427 of the Penal Code.

He advised the public not to fall prey to offers of loans by unauthorised money lenders other than banking companies.

He also advised the public to change all Internet banking passwords, e-wallet accounts and social media as a security measure.