JOHOR BARU: Police arrested 17 people, including three foreigners, linked to illegal moneylending activities.
Johor police chief Comm M. Kumar said the suspects, aged 18 to 65, were arrested in a series of raids that took place statewide on March 5 and 6.
“A total of 14 locals as well as two foreign women and a foreign man were arrested along with the seizure of five vehicles, 26 mobile phones, 25 bank cards, copies of 40 Mykads belonging to borrowers, nine loan agreements and six record books.
“We also found 14 passports, money totalling RM48,366 and nine pieces of cheques during the raids,” he said in a statement on Sunday (March 10).
The case is being investigated under Section 5(2) of the Moneylenders Act 1951, which carries a fine of between RM250,000 and RM1mil, a jail term of up to five years, or both, upon conviction.
“The public is reminded not to borrow money from such sources and only obtain a loan from valid financial institutions.
“They can also check with the authorities such as Bank Negara Malaysia to check on the status of the moneylender that is offering the loan,” he added.
