Latest news with #OpVulture


Malay Mail
2 days ago
- Malay Mail
Five arrested in Kelantan for illegal moneylending, including red paint attacks on borrowers' homes
KOTA BHARU, July 28 — Police have arrested five suspects believed to be involved in illegal moneylending activities, including threats and acts of mischief, such as splashing red paint on borrowers' homes. Kelantan police chief Datuk Mohd Yusoff Mamat said the suspects, aged between 25 and 39, were detained under Op Vulture in separate raids. The first suspect was apprehended on July 23 in Pasir Tumboh, Kubang Kerian, while the other four were arrested on July 25 following a red paint incident in Pasir Hor. Police also seized 34 items believed to have been used in these activities, including red paint, threatening notes, clothing, face masks, mobile phones, and motorcycles. 'Preliminary investigations revealed that all five suspects are believed to be linked to at least nine cases of property damage in Kota Bharu, Tumpat, and Tanah Merah. 'Their actions included breaking window panes with stones, pasting threatening notes, and padlocking borrowers' gates as a form of intimidation,' he said in a statement tonight. Mohd Yusoff said the case is being investigated under Section 5(2) of the Moneylenders Act 1951 and Sections 427/506 of the Penal Code. The suspects have been remanded for further investigations. — Bernama


The Sun
2 days ago
- The Sun
Five suspects arrested in Op Vulture over loan shark threats, red paint attacks
KOTA BHARU: Police have detained five individuals suspected of involvement in illegal moneylending activities, including intimidation tactics such as splashing red paint on borrowers' homes. The arrests were made under Op Vulture in separate raids across Kelantan. Kelantan police chief Datuk Mohd Yusoff Mamat confirmed that the suspects, aged between 25 and 39, were apprehended in Pasir Tumboh, Kubang Kerian, and Pasir Hor. The first arrest occurred on July 23, while the remaining four were detained on July 25 following a red paint incident. Authorities seized 34 items believed to be connected to the crimes, including red paint, threatening notes, clothing, face masks, mobile phones, and motorcycles. 'Preliminary investigations revealed that all five suspects are believed to be linked to at least nine cases of property damage in Kota Bharu, Tumpat, and Tanah Merah,' Mohd Yusoff said in a statement. The suspects allegedly engaged in acts such as breaking windows with stones, pasting threatening notes, and padlocking gates to intimidate borrowers. The case is being investigated under Section 5(2) of the Moneylenders Act 1951 and Sections 427/506 of the Penal Code.

Barnama
2 days ago
- Barnama
Five Suspects Nabbed Under Op Vulture Over Threats, Red Paint Attacks
KOTA BHARU, July 27 (Bernama) -- Police have arrested five suspects believed to be involved in illegal moneylending activities, including threats and acts of mischief, such as splashing red paint on borrowers' homes. Kelantan police chief Datuk Mohd Yusoff Mamat said the suspects, aged between 25 and 39, were detained under Op Vulture in separate raids. The first suspect was apprehended on July 23 in Pasir Tumboh, Kubang Kerian, while the other four were arrested on July 25 following a red paint incident in Pasir Hor.


New Straits Times
2 days ago
- New Straits Times
Kelantan loan shark ring busted in Op Vulture raids
KOTA BARU: Police have crippled an illegal moneylending syndicate following a series of raids under Op Vulture targeting loan shark activities involving threats and property damage in Kelantan. State police chief Datuk Mohd Yusoff Mamat said the operation, jointly conducted by the Commercial Crime Investigation Department of the state contingent and the Kota Baru district, was held from July 17 to 22. He added that the two separate raids around Kota Baru led to the arrest of five suspects, aged between 25 and 39, believed to be involved in criminal intimidation and vandalism linked to unlicensed moneylending activities. "The suspects are believed to have carried out acts such as splashing red paint on victims' houses, pasting threatening notes, smashing windows with stones and locking the victims' gates as a form of harassment and pressure," he said. Mohd Yusoff said the first suspect was nabbed on July 23 during a raid in Pasir Tumboh near Kubang Kerian. "This was followed by the arrest of four more suspects on July 25 in connection with a paint-splashing incident in Pasir Hor," he added. During the operations, he said police have seized 34 items and they included red paint, pens, threat notes, clothing, face masks, mobile phones, and motorcycles believed to have been used in the crimes. "Early investigations revealed that the suspects were linked to at least nine cases of criminal damage across Kota Baru, Tumpat and Tanah Merah districts," he said. The case is being investigated under Section 5(2) of the Moneylenders Act 1951 and Sections 427 and 506 of the Penal Code for mischief and criminal intimidation. "All five suspects have been remanded to assist in further investigations," he added. Mohd Yusoff advised the public not to seek loans through unlicensed sources, including those offered on social media and unverified applications. He urged borrowers to verify lenders through official channels and conduct financial transactions only with licensed institutions. He also reminded the public not to accept payments for carrying out red paint attacks or other intimidation acts, as even being hired for such activities constitutes a criminal offence. "The police will not compromise with anyone who attempts to instil fear in the public for personal gain. "Any suspicious activity should be reported to the nearest police station or through our official channels," he added.


New Straits Times
21-05-2025
- New Straits Times
Loan shark gang robs and assaults man, leaving him naked in forested area
KUALA TERENGGANU: A group of loan shark syndicate members robbed and assaulted a man, stripped him naked, and left him in a wooded area after he contacted them in an attempt to secure a loan, police said. Terengganu police chief Datuk Mohd Khairi Khairuddin said the 24-year-old victim filed a report at the Kuala Terengganu district police headquarters yesterday, detailing the incident. According to the statement, the victim contacted a member of the syndicate via WhatsApp to apply for a loan. However, he was lured into a car, beaten, stripped of his clothing and left naked in the bushes near Bukit Khor, Marang. "The suspects also took the victim's personal belongings, including his mobile phone, wallet, and identification card," Mohd Khairi said in a statement today. Following the report, the Commercial Crime Investigation Department immediately launched a special operation codenamed Op Vulture, which resulted in the arrest of five men aged between 16 and 39. Mohd Khairi said the suspects later admitted to being involved in illegal moneylending activities around Kuala Terengganu since March. Items seized during the operation included two Proton Saga cars, five mobile phones, and the victim's clothes, which were recovered based on information provided by the suspects. Background checks revealed three of the five suspects had previously committed crimes. Mohd Khairi said police have obtained a four-day remand order for all suspects to assist in the investigation.