Police arrest eight suspects linked to loan shark syndicate in Johor

JOHOR BARU: Police here have arrested eight people in connection with an illegal money lending syndicate for threatening and intimidating borrowers, says Johor police chief Comm Datuk Kamarul Zaman Mamat.

He said the suspects were caught between Oct 22 and Oct 25 in Kota Tinggi, Seri Alam and Segamat, adding that the eight local men are aged between 16 and 43.

Comm Kamarul Zaman said that all eight were hired by the syndicate to threaten and intimidate the borrowers for failing to settle their debts.

"The modus operandi is splashing paint on and starting fires at the premises of the borrowers," Comm Kamarul Zaman said at a press conference on Wednesday (Nov 1).

He said this after witnessing the handing-over of duties by the outgoing Johor Police Contingent Crime Investigation Department chief Senior Asst Comm Kamarulzaman Elias to his successor, SAC Hoo Chuan Huat.

Comm Kamarul Zaman said police also seized 15 mobile phones, three cans of paint and three cars.

He then said that the syndicate has been active since August of this year and would be paid RM600 for splashing paint and RM1,000 for starting fires.

Comm Kamarul Zaman said the syndicate would advertise the money-lending business on Facebook by claiming to be a legitimate money lender based in Singapore.

He said the money would be credited into the borrowers' bank account after the victims had given their bank account and home address even though the victims have no intention of borrowing the money.

"The syndicate targets Malaysians working in Singapore, and it will go after their families in Malaysia if the victims failed to settle their debts," said Comm Kamarul Zaman.

He said with the arrest of the eight suspects, police have solved 45 cases related to illegal money lending activities in Johor Baru, Iskandar Puteri, Kulai, Kluang, Seri Alam, Kota Tinggi, Muar, Pontian, Batu Pahat and Segamat.

Comm Kamarul Zaman also said that the arrests of the eight solve four cases in Melaka and one in Negri Sembilan.

He then said the case is being investigated under Section 427 and Section 435 of the Penal Code.