GEORGE TOWN: Police have arrested four local men in a large-scale operation targeting a loan shark syndicate suspected of involvement in vandalism, including paint-splashing and arson at several residential properties across the state.
Penang Police Chief, Comm Datuk Hamzah Ahmad, said all four suspects, aged between 23 and 28, were apprehended last Thursday (Oct 17) at various locations in Perak, Kedah, and Penang.
He stated that the suspects are believed to be involved in unlicensed money-lending activities connected to local loan sharks and online lending schemes.
"They are also suspected of participating in acts of vandalism, such as paint-splashing and arson.
"Initial investigations revealed that all the suspects admitted involvement in 27 cases of paint-splashing and arson across six states: Penang, Kedah, Perak, Selangor, Kuala Lumpur, and Melaka," he said in a statement on Monday (Oct 21).
Comm Hamzah added that during the operation, the police seized several items, including a set of business registration documents from the Companies Commission of Malaysia, registered under the name of a company believed to be used for unlicensed money-lending activities.
"We also confiscated a company chequebook, a notebook containing a list of borrowers, four mobile phones, and a car.
"An inspection of the seized mobile phones uncovered 24 video recordings of paint-splashing and vandalism, filmed by the suspects while carrying out these acts at various locations.
"I urge the public to lodge a police report if they are harassed or receive threats from loan sharks so that appropriate action can be taken," he added.
He said investigations are being carried out under Section 427 of the Penal Code, Section 435 of the Penal Code, Section 436 of the Penal Code, and Section 29AA of the Moneylenders Act 1951.
