Loan sharks strip, film, humiliate borrower

Slug: izsharks

HL: Loan sharks strip, film, and humiliate borrower

By Mohd Haris Fadli Mohd Fadzil

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KUALA LUMPUR: A hairstylist was stripped naked in a shopping mall toilet in Subang Jaya by three men believed to be agents of an unlicensed moneylending syndicate, or ah long.

The incident took place last Saturday when the victim, known only as Danish, 34, was contacted by agents of the illegal moneylending company.

At a press conference here today, Danish said he was approached by three unidentified men who threatened him with a knife and forced him into a restroom.

“They took me into the toilet and ordered me to remove my shirt and trousers while one of them recorded a video. I was terrified of being hurt, so I just followed their instructions.

“They threatened to cut off my arms and legs if I didn’t obey. They also took my personal belongings, including my phone. Later, they spread the video to all my WhatsApp groups, including my work group,” he said.

Danish said the ordeal began after he borrowed RM1,000 from an unlicensed moneylender he found on social media.

He claimed he had taken the loan due to an emergency and was given only a few days to repay it. Failure to do so would incur a late payment fee of RM450 per hour.

“I borrowed RM1,000 but only received RM500 after they deducted so-called processing fees.

I was told to repay it within three days, and they warned me I’d be fined if I failed to do so.

“I’ve already made payments and have the receipts, but they kept demanding more.

They asked for another RM1,200, and recently, even RM10,000.

“When I couldn’t pay, they attacked me. I deeply regret borrowing from them, I did it out of desperation,” he said.

He added that the loan sharks had also harassed and contacted his parents, claiming they had made up to 200 phone calls to them.

Danish said the circulation of the humiliating video had subjected him to ridicule and shame from friends and even some relatives.

Meanwhile, Malaysian International Humanitarian Organisation (MHO) secretary-general Datuk Hishamuddin Hashim urged the public, especially the victim’s friends and family, to offer him moral support.

“While he was unclothed, the three men recorded videos and took photographs of him before seizing his phone and bag.

“As a result of their actions, the victim suffered extreme humiliation among his colleagues, family members, relatives and acquaintances,” he said.

He called on the authorities to take firm action against those responsible for the assault.

© New Straits Times Press (M) Bhd

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