IPOH: A family of six in Taman Menglembu Impiana Adril is being harassed by loan sharks to repay money that they did not borrow.
Hawker Tan Sooi Chan, 61, said they are now living in fear, having received threats recently from loan sharks saying that they will burn their house down.
Tan said the gate of her house and two cars have already been splashed with red paint on July 27 and Aug 18.
"We first received WhatsApp messages from the loan shark in June telling us to settle a debt. We believe that a nephew of mine is the one they are looking for and have replied to the loan sharks to look for him instead of harassing us," she said.
Tan said this at a press conference held by Perak MCA public service and complaints bureau chief Low Guo Nan here on Wednesday (Aug 23).
"The loan sharks have also used a padlock and chain to lock our front gate once and also broken the back windscreen of my son's car," she said, adding that a notice from the loan shark was also found pasted on the gate.
"I did ask the loan shark how much was borrowed and owed to them," she said, adding that there were two other adults and three children staying at the house. They told me that my nephew had borrowed RM1,000 but is now owing them RM64,000," she added.
Tan said she believes that her nephew had visited her house earlier this year but she was not at home then.
"I believe he has taken some of our home's utility bills and used our address when borrowing from the loan sharks," she said.
"This is not the first time, as he has also done the same and caused the loan sharks to harass another relative a few years ago. His parents had also once helped him settle some debt and I believe they have disowned him," she added.
Tan said they also received a message from the loan shark informing them that they are aware of the police reports that were lodged.
"To our surprise, the loan shark was able to show us the police report number, our names and the report. They even claimed to have some policemen under their payroll and further threatened us," she said, adding that she has already installed CCTV at her home.
"I really hope that they can stop harassing my family," she added.
Low said it was shocking to see loan sharks being so daring with their threats.
"I think that this is a really serious matter and hope that the police can be stern in taking the necessary actions. I also called on the police to beef up their patrols near the family's house," he said.
