An elderly woman in Johor had the shock of her life when she returned home to see that her car and house was destroyed in a fire.
It later turned out to be the work of a group of loan sharks based in Singapore, who apparently targeted the wrong house.
No ties with loan sharks
Accoridng to Sin Chew Daily, 70-year-old Lin Xiuyu (transliteration) was in Penang with her daughters when her house was set on fire on June 11.
They were later informed by a neighbour at 5am about the fire and a debt collection note which warned more repercussions would follow if repayments weren’t made.
This came as shock for the family, with Lin’s daughter Chen Lifen saying they had never borrowed from loan sharks or owed anyone money.
Mistaken identity
When Lin and her daughters returned home, they spoke to a neighbour who confessed to have borrowed S$1,800 (approx. RM5,700) from loan sharks.
The neighbour also claimed he fell behind on repayments after his bank account got frozen.
With the help of Johor Bersatu associate wing public complaints bureau chief Lim Thow Siang, the family contacted the loan sharks, who admitted that a runner had photographed the wrong house and vehicle.
The loan sharks also reportedly apologised and promised to leave the family alone.
Damages
Chen said her mother often lives alone at home and could suffered serious injuries if she was around when the house was set on fire.
Thankfully, neighbours managed to put out the fire, which started near the car’s fuel tank, before it spread further.
Chen added that if the fire hadn’t been extinguished in time, it could have led to an explosion and burn an entire row of houses.
She also said damages to the car could exceed RM20,000, and that residents in the area have grown unnerved following the incident.
Meanwhile, Lim reminded the public who receive debt collection notices from loan sharks not to contact the listed phone numbers lest they divulge personal information to criminal syndicates.
He also urged the authorities to take firm action against illegal moneylenders who resort to intimidation and arson.
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