KUALA LUMPUR: A 56-year-old woman, Shamsiah, says an illegal online loan of RM1,300 spiralled into an RM103,000 debt after she was misled by an investment advertisement.
Despite repaying RM50,000, the syndicate rejected the payments, claiming a “wrong code” and continued demanding more money.
When she refused, harassment escalated into repeated attacks, including paint splashes on her home and arson attempts on her gate.
By March, her sister’s house and a neighbour’s home were also targeted, with threats of coordinated attacks on 11 family members if payment is not made by 15 April.
At a press conference with the Malaysian International Humanitarian Organisation (MHO), she described living in fear as the syndicate intensified intimidation.
MHO said the case reflects organised criminal loan shark networks using violence and extortion.
In a separate case, MHO also revealed a father’s vehicle was burned over a RM150 loan, highlighting a wider pattern of escalating abuse.