JOHOR BARU: A 46-year-old woman, believed to be the mastermind behind an illegal moneylending (along) syndicate, will be charged in court tomorrow with multiple offences, including arson and criminal intimidation.
She was arrested by police earlier this month following reports of violent tactics used against borrowers, including firebombing homes and issuing threats.
Johor police chief Datuk Ab Rahaman Arsad said the suspect, a local woman, was detained at around 3am on Sept 6 in the district.
According to him, police received several reports about the illegal moneylending activities operating in the Muar and Kluang areas, allegedly led by the suspect.
“The woman is believed to have become active earlier this month. She charged RM1,300 for each arson attack, including throwing Molotov cocktails and posting threat notices at the homes of borrowers who failed to repay their loans,” he said in a statement today.
Ab Rahaman said the syndicate promoted illegal loan services through social media platforms such as Facebook and TikTok.
“The loan amounts were credited directly into the borrowers’ accounts even before any terms or agreements were formally accepted,” he added.
Borrowers were then forced to repay the loans at exorbitant interest rates, ranging from 20 to 50 per cent of the borrowed amount.
“If they failed to pay, syndicate members would issue threats and commit acts of arson to intimidate the victims and their families,” he said.
The syndicate reportedly targeted Malaysians working in Singapore, with all financial transactions conducted via Singapore-registered bank accounts.
During the arrest, police seized a car, a mobile phone, bottles containing petrol, and threatening notes believed to be used in criminal activities.
With the arrest, Johor police have solved three cases involving similar modus operandi — two in Kluang and one in Muar.
The investigation papers have been submitted to the Johor state prosecution office, which has agreed to charge the suspect with five offences.
She will face three charges under Section 435 of the Penal Code for mischief by fire, one charge under Section 436 for arson involving a dwelling, and one charge under Section 506 for criminal intimidation.
“All charges will be brought against the suspect at the Kluang magistrate’s court tomorrow,” he said.
© New Straits Times Press (M) Bhd
