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Free Malaysia Today
11-07-2025
- Free Malaysia Today
Loan shark threatens to expose nude photo of 14-year-old girl
MCA public services and complaints department chief Michael Chong (standing third from left) and Ms Yap (standing third from right) during a press conference at Wisma MCA in Kuala Lumpur today. KUALA LUMPUR : A 14-year-old girl was blackmailed by a loan shark who threatened to expose her nude photo on social media after she was lured into an online job scam. The victim, identified only as Ms Yap, responded to a 'part-time job' offer sent via WhatsApp and was added to a Telegram group offering paid online tasks. She was instructed to transfer RM30 to begin the tasks and received RM60 after completing two assignments. However, during her third task, she was told she had made a mistake and was asked to top up RM500 to proceed. She was later told to pay another RM1,000, which she could not do. On July 5, she approached a loan shark known as 'Terry' who demanded a nude photo and her family's personal details as collateral after claiming it was necessary as she was underage and could not sign a loan agreement. The RM1,000 was disbursed to her via an e-wallet, and Terry instructed her to repay RM1,500 within six days. Her father settled the RM1,500 debt on Monday, believing the matter was closed. However, on Tuesday, Terry called again, claiming that the early repayment had caused a system error, and demanded RM15,000. He threatened to post the girl's nude photo on Facebook and warned that he would take further action against the family if payment was not made. The family lodged a police report on Tuesday and met with MCA public services and complaints department chief Michael Chong yesterday. Speaking at a press conference here, Chong said the case was one of 43 scam-related complaints involving women this year, including at least three incidents of extortion with nude photos. 'This case is just the tip of the iceberg,' he said. 'These scam syndicates are now working with Ah Longs (loan sharks) using platforms like WhatsApp, Instagram and Telegram to exploit young women.' Chong urged parents to monitor their children's online activity and warned the youth against falling for promises of easy cash through online jobs or investment schemes. He also called for stronger enforcement and awareness campaigns to tackle the growing threat of digital exploitation involving scam syndicates and illegal moneylenders. Woman tricked into paying RM18,100 after believing she won Singapore lottery In a separate case, Ms Leong, a 24-year-old woman from Puchong, Selangor, fell victim to a transnational lottery scam after being duped by a self-proclaimed 'master' based in Chiang Mai, Thailand. Leong said the scam began after she was promised help winning the Singapore lottery. She was told to pay RM1,600 to purchase a ticket through one of the so-called master's 'followers' in Singapore. Shortly after, she was informed that she had won second prize, amounting to RM1.76 million. However, the follower claimed that the winnings were 'stuck' due to tax and banking issues, and requested RM8,000 to process their release. Believing that the prize was real, Leong made the payment and even gave an additional RM4,000 in cash as a 'gesture of gratitude'. In her attempt to claim the supposed prize money, Leong ended up borrowing a total of RM18,100 from seven different loan sharks. She sought help after realising that she had been conned.
BreakingNews.ie
30-06-2025
- BreakingNews.ie
Former An Post employee (39) stole cash from cards to pay loan shark, court hears
A former An Post employee who removed cash from cards and letters in a bid to repay loan sharks who threatened to burn down his house has received a fully suspended prison sentence. Michael Ryan of Ross Street, Killavullen, Co Cork, appeared before Cork Circuit Criminal Court on Monday for sentencing. Advertisement His offending behaviour mainly involved the opening of greeting cards and letters in the hope that they continued money. The 39-year-old had been remanded in custody on June 20th last for sentencing on Monday. Garda Eoin O'Callaghan said the offending occurred from October 24th, 2023, to November 18th, 2023. Garda O'Callaghan told Judge Helen Boyle that it was difficult to put a figure on the total financial loss. He indicated that many of the envelopes which were opened by Mr Ryan were bright and colourful and looked like they contained greeting cards. Advertisement Mr Ryan co operated fully with the garda investigation in to the matter. He also wrote a letter of apology to the court. Defence barrister Emmet Boyle said that his client was hugely remorseful for his behaviour. 'He (Mr Ryan) is deeply sorry and disgusted with himself for ruining a fine job that he had at this time.' Mr Boyle said that the accused had borrowed €3,000 from a loan shark with his debt soon doubling to €6,000. He stated that Mr Ryan was warned that if he didn't pay his debt his house would be burned down. Advertisement Judge Helen Boyle said that Mr Ryan had breached the trust of both his employer and the public. She emphasised that the public depends on the honesty with which the postal service operates. She said that Mr Ryan had brought shame on himself and his family whilst suffering the loss of a good job arising out of his offending behaviour. Judge Boyle commended gardaí and An Post for their quick response after members of the public noticed that cards containing cash and vouchers were not reaching their destination. Two items were put in the post as a test. Mr Ryan was caught on CCTV at a sorting office removing the items and bringing them to his car. Advertisement Mr Ryan had opened some 140 coloured cards and 77 commercial letters over the course of his offending behaviour Ireland Microsoft making billions from alleged unlawful pr... Read More Judge Boyle said that generally older people send cash and vouchers in the post as gifts for their loved ones. 'They are entitled to not have them interfered with and for them to arrive intact.' She noted the guilty plea, the full admissions on arrest, the remorse of the accused and his mental health difficulties, before sentencing him to 27 months in prison which she fully suspended. Mr Ryan was also ordered to carry out 240 hours of community service. Mr Ryan had pleaded guilty to theft of post at the An Post delivery service unit at Carrignaroher, Fermoy, Co Cork, and to related charges fo possessing stolen post and interference with post.
South China Morning Post
26-06-2025
- South China Morning Post
Hong Kong loan shark syndicate that hired teen debt collectors broken up
A loan shark syndicate in Hong Kong recruited young people through chat groups to vandalise debtors' homes with red paint and paid them up to HK$1,000 (US$127) per job, police have said as they arrested 22 people, including key members of the gang and four teenagers. Advertisement In an operation conducted between June 16 and Wednesday, police arrested 19 men and three women, aged between 16 and 62, in connection with 29 cases related to illegal debt collection. The cases involved the loan sharks recruiting debt collectors, often youngsters, through agents that used encrypted chat groups. 'It is similar to the operation of a food delivery platform. They will place orders of splashing red paint in the group and indicate the districts involved … Interested group members can then take the order,' Tsang Chun-kit, acting deputy district commander of Tseung Kwan O district, said on Thursday. Tsang said the agents required individuals to take photos to prove they had completed their job, before paying them HK$500 to HK$1,000 per order. 'This convenient model can attract a lot of young people who wish to make quick money,' Tsang said. Advertisement 'We caution them against taking part in illegal debt collection activities for making quick money.' The force said that the loan shark targeted individuals facing economic difficulties, telling them they would not have to submit proof of their income to take out a loan. Five residents took the offer, each borrowing amounts ranging from HK$25,000 to HK$120,000.
Malay Mail
25-06-2025
- Malay Mail
Police rule out loan shark link in Skudai teacher's death
ISKANDAR PUTERI, June 25 — The death of a female teacher, Lo Kwan Fong, whose body was found at her home in Bandar Selesa Jaya, Skudai, Iskandar Puteri, on June 13, is believed to have no criminal elements involving illegal moneylending syndicates or loan sharks. Iskandar Puteri police chief ACP M. Kumarasan said although the 39-year-old victim had previously borrowed RM20,000 from a loan shark, she had fully settled the debt. He said preliminary police investigations also found that there were no incidents of paint splashing or threats against the victim. 'The deceased had previously lodged a police report, which was investigated under Section 5(2) of the Moneylenders Act 1951. However, after clearing all her debts, there were no further police reports. 'Neighbours also confirmed that no loan sharks had come to throw paint at her house,' he told a press conference at the Iskandar Puteri district police headquarters today. He said the police had checked with the National Registration Department (JPN) and confirmed that she was an only child and her parents had already passed away. To date, her remains have yet to be claimed by her next of kin. 'We will discuss this further with the hospital. After two weeks, the body will be released to Sultanah Aminah Hospital (HSA) for them to appoint a private funeral service. 'We were informed that she has an aunt in Singapore, but we still do not have further information about her. Several parents of her students have expressed their wish to help with the funeral,' he said. Earlier, the media reported that the teacher was found dead at home after neighbours noticed a foul smell and reported the matter to Nusa Bestari police station. Investigations revealed that the woman, who lived alone, was believed to have died about a month before her body was discovered. An autopsy conducted by a forensic pathologist at HSA revealed the cause of death as 'unascertained due to advanced decomposition'. — Bernama
Malay Mail
28-05-2025
- Business
- Malay Mail
Loan sharks charged in Johor for harassment, vandalism, and drug offences
Loan shark enforcers charged in Johor for harassment, vandalism, and drug offences JOHOR BARU, May 28 — Two men linked to an illegal money lending syndicate, commonly referred to as Ah Long, pleaded guilty in three separate Magistrates' Courts here today to multiple charges, including vandalism and drug-related offences. The accused, R. Sahswin, 25, and P. Yugendran, 31, admitted to charges of vandalising homes and vehicles by spraying paint. Both were sentenced to fines after their pleas were recorded. Before Magistrate A. Shaarmini, the duo was fined RM4,500 each or ordered to serve 12 months in prison if they fail to pay. According to the charge sheet, Sahswin and Yugendran had sprayed paint on a house fence in Jalan Jenawi 8, Taman Puteri Wangsa, causing losses worth over RM35. The offence occurred at 10.57pm on May 1. Sahswin faced additional charges before Magistrate Nabilah Nizam, including splashing paint on a house, causing RM35 in damages, and on a Honda City, with repairs estimated at RM350. These acts occurred at Jalan Lading 11, Taman Puteri Wangsa at 10.40pm on May 1, and at another house in Jalan Tun Abdul Razak at 12.20pm on April 27. He was fined RM1,000 for these offences. Meanwhile, Yugendran was fined RM2,200 or ordered to serve 12 months in prison by Magistrate Atifah Hazimah Wahab for splashing red paint on a house fence at Jalan Hang Jebat 4, Taman Skudai Baru. The act caused damages amounting to RM249.37 and was committed at 3.12pm on April 28. Both were charged under Section 427 of the Penal Code for mischief, which provides for up to five years' imprisonment, a fine, or both upon conviction. Separately, Sahswin was also charged with criminal intimidation for allegedly threatening to burn down a house at Jalan Jenawi 8, Taman Puteri Wangsa, on May 9 at 3.20pm. He was charged under Section 507 of the Penal Code, which carries a maximum sentence of two years' imprisonment, a fine, or both. The court granted Sahswin bail of RM4,000 for this case and set June 11 for mention and submission of documents. In addition, Sahswin and Yugendran faced charges for self-administering dangerous drugs under Section 15(1)(a) of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952. Sahswin was fined RM2,500 or six months' imprisonment, while Yugendran was fined RM1,800 or six months' imprisonment. Both offences occurred at the Johor Baru North police headquarters on May 15. The court also ordered both men to undergo two years of supervision by the National Anti-Drug Agency (AADK). The pair, along with a third accused, S.K. Kiren, 24, pleaded not guilty to a charge of possessing 20.04 grammes of cannabis. The offence allegedly took place at Jalan Inang 7, Taman Skudai Baru, on May 14 at 11.40pm. They were charged under Section 6 of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952, read with Section 34 of the Penal Code, which carries a maximum sentence of five years' imprisonment and up to nine strokes of the cane upon conviction. All three were granted bail of RM5,000 each with one surety. Deputy public prosecutors Nor Afiqah Musa and Nik Noratini Nik Azman prosecuted, while lawyer V. Pushparajan represented the accused. Yesterday, Johor police chief Datuk M. Kumar revealed that the suspects were arrested on May 14 for their alleged involvement in a loan-sharking syndicate. The group is suspected of receiving payment to intimidate victims, vandalise properties, and lock house doors of individuals who failed to repay loans. JOHOR BARU, May 28 — Two men linked to an illegal money lending syndicate, commonly referred to as Ah Long, pleaded guilty in three separate Magistrates' Courts here today to multiple charges, including vandalism and drug-related offences. The accused, R. Sahswin, 25, and P. Yugendran, 31, admitted to charges of vandalising homes and vehicles by spraying paint. Both were sentenced to fines after their pleas were recorded. Before Magistrate A. Shaarmini, the duo was fined RM4,500 each or ordered to serve 12 months in prison if they fail to pay. According to the charge sheet, Sahswin and Yugendran had sprayed paint on a house fence in Jalan Jenawi 8, Taman Puteri Wangsa, causing losses worth over RM35. The offence occurred at 10.57pm on May 1. Sahswin faced additional charges before Magistrate Nabilah Nizam, including splashing paint on a house, causing RM35 in damages, and on a Honda City, with repairs estimated at RM350. These acts occurred at Jalan Lading 11, Taman Puteri Wangsa at 10.40pm on May 1, and at another house in Jalan Tun Abdul Razak at 12.20pm on April 27. He was fined RM1,000 for these offences. Meanwhile, Yugendran was fined RM2,200 or ordered to serve 12 months in prison by Magistrate Atifah Hazimah Wahab for splashing red paint on a house fence at Jalan Hang Jebat 4, Taman Skudai Baru. The act caused damages amounting to RM249.37 and was committed at 3.12pm on April 28. Both were charged under Section 427 of the Penal Code for mischief, which provides for up to five years' imprisonment, a fine, or both upon conviction. Separately, Sahswin was also charged with criminal intimidation for allegedly threatening to burn down a house at Jalan Jenawi 8, Taman Puteri Wangsa, on May 9 at 3.20pm. He was charged under Section 507 of the Penal Code, which carries a maximum sentence of two years' imprisonment, a fine, or both. The court granted Sahswin bail of RM4,000 for this case and set June 11 for mention and submission of documents. In addition, Sahswin and Yugendran faced charges for self-administering dangerous drugs under Section 15(1)(a) of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952. Sahswin was fined RM2,500 or six months' imprisonment, while Yugendran was fined RM1,800 or six months' imprisonment. Both offences occurred at the Johor Baru North police headquarters on May 15. The court also ordered both men to undergo two years of supervision by the National Anti-Drug Agency (AADK). The pair, along with a third accused, S.K. Kiren, 24, pleaded not guilty to a charge of possessing 20.04 grammes of cannabis. The offence allegedly took place at Jalan Inang 7, Taman Skudai Baru, on May 14 at 11.40pm. They were charged under Section 6 of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952, read with Section 34 of the Penal Code, which carries a maximum sentence of five years' imprisonment and up to nine strokes of the cane upon conviction. All three were granted bail of RM5,000 each with one surety. Deputy public prosecutors Nor Afiqah Musa and Nik Noratini Nik Azman prosecuted, while lawyer V. Pushparajan represented the accused. Yesterday, Johor police chief Datuk M. Kumar revealed that the suspects were arrested on May 14 for their alleged involvement in a loan-sharking syndicate. The group is suspected of receiving payment to intimidate victims, vandalise properties, and lock house doors of individuals who failed to repay loans.
