JOHOR BARU: A 46-year-old woman believed to be involved in an illegal money lending syndicate will be charged in a Kluang Magistrate's Court on Monday (Sept 22).
Johor police chief Comm Datuk Ab Rahaman Arsad said the suspect faces five charges related to arson and criminal intimidation after her arrest earlier this month.
“She will face three charges under Section 435 of the Penal Code for mischief by fire, one charge under Section 436 for mischief by fire on a house, and one charge under Section 506 for criminal intimidation,” he said here on Sunday (Sept 21).
Comm Ab Rahaman added that the suspect was arrested at around 3am on Sept 6 in Johor Baru following a joint operation by the state police anti-vice, gambling and secret societies division (D7) and the Muar district police D7 unit.
He said her arrest was linked to police reports on loan shark activities in Muar and Kluang.
Comm Ab Rahaman added that during the raid, police seized a car, a mobile phone, a bottle containing petrol, several threat notes and stationery believed to have been used in the syndicate’s operations.
“Initial investigations revealed that the woman began her activities with the syndicate in early September.
“She was paid RM1,300 for each job, which involved throwing Molotov cocktails and putting up threat notices at the homes of victims who defaulted on their repayments,” he said.
He added that the syndicate was found to be promoting its services through social media platforms such as Facebook and TikTok.
Comm Ab Rahaman said loans were deposited directly into the borrower’s account even before the loan terms and conditions were agreed upon.
“Victims were then forced to repay with exorbitant interest rates of between 20% and 50%. Those who failed to make payment faced threats, including having their houses targeted with fire,” he said.
Comm Ab Rahaman added that Malaysians working in Singapore were the main targets, with the syndicate using Singapore-registered bank accounts to move money in and out.
He said with the woman’s arrest, police managed to solve three cases involving similar tactics – two in Kluang and one in Muar.
“Our investigations showed that the suspect played a direct role in carrying out acts of intimidation and property damage linked to these cases,” he said.
Comm Ab Rahaman stressed that police are committed to intensifying operations against illegal moneylending syndicates in Johor.
“We will continue to combat such groups to protect the public and ensure Johor remains safe to live in and visit,” he said.
He urged the public not to respond to online loan offers to avoid falling victim to such scams.
“Information on illegal moneylending activities can be channelled to the Johor police hotline at 019-279 2095 or the operations room at 07-221 2999,” he added.
