By Subaashinee Kupusamy,
21st October: In a large-scale police operation, four local men were arrested for their suspected involvement in a loan shark syndicate connected to acts of vandalism and harassment across multiple states. The arrests took place on Thursday, October 17, at various locations in Penang, Perak, and Kedah. The suspects, aged between 23 and 28, are believed to be involved in unlicensed money-lending operations, including online lending schemes linked to local loan sharks.
Penang Police Chief, Commissioner Datuk Hamzah Ahmad, revealed that the men are suspected of participating in various acts of vandalism, including paint-splashing and arson, aimed at intimidating their victims. “Initial investigations show the suspects were involved in at least 27 incidents of paint-splashing and arson across six states: Penang, Kedah, Perak, Selangor, Kuala Lumpur, and Melaka,” he stated on Monday, October 21.
During the operation, police seized several items, including business registration documents from the Companies Commission of Malaysia, believed to be associated with the syndicate’s illegal money-lending activities. Additionally, authorities confiscated a chequebook, a borrower’s list, four mobile phones, and a car used by the suspects.
An inspection of the mobile phones uncovered 24 video recordings, showing the suspects committing acts of paint-splashing and vandalism at various locations. Comm Hamzah urged the public to come forward if they have been harassed or threatened by loan sharks.
Investigations are ongoing under several sections of the Penal Code, including Section 427 for mischief and Section 436 for arson, as well as Section 29AA of the Moneylenders Act 1951, which deals with unlicensed money-lending offences as stated in The Star.
