Latest news with #loan shark syndicate
South China Morning Post
5 days ago
- South China Morning Post
Couple hired by Singapore loan shark arrested for deadly Malaysia house fire
A couple, believed to have been hired by a Singapore-based loan shark, was arrested on suspicion of starting a house fire in Malaysia 's Johor state. The fire killed a 72-year-old woman in Kampung Bukit Siput, Segamat, on July 25. State police chief Commissioner Ab Rahaman Arsad said police received an emergency call regarding a fire involving five houses at about 4.30am. 'Investigations by the police and the fire department found elements of arson. 'We then formed a special task force and arrested a couple, a 21-year-old and his 19-year-old girlfriend in Subang Jaya, Selangor, a week after the incident. 'During the interrogation it was revealed that a loan shark syndicate in Singapore hired them to carry out criminal intimidation by setting fire to the house of a borrower who had failed to repay a loan,' he told a press conference on Wednesday, Bernama reported.
Free Malaysia Today
18-07-2025
- Free Malaysia Today
2 suspected loan sharks nabbed over Penang arson case
Penang deputy police chief Alwi Zainal Abidin said investigations revealed the suspects' involvement in five other paint-splashing cases. (Bernama pic) PETALING JAYA : Two suspected members of a loan shark syndicate have been arrested in connection with a fire that destroyed three houses in Tasek Gelugor, Penang, on June 24. Penang deputy police chief Alwi Zainal Abidin said the men, both in their 20s, were detained by the state commercial crime investigation department in two separate raids in Penang on July 3. They are also suspected of being involved in a paint vandalism incident at a house in Tanjung Tokong on June 30. 'The raids led to the seizure of several items, including a motorcycle, a pair of sport rims, a helmet, mobile phones, a sling bag and clothing belonging to the suspects. 'During interrogation, both suspects admitted to their involvement in the case of arson that destroyed three double-storey terrace houses,' Bernama reported him as saying. He said investigations also revealed the suspects' involvement in five other paint-splashing cases currently being investigated. The fire on June 24 broke out at about 4.50am at Taman Tasek Gelugor Utama, causing losses estimated at RM300,000. Five cars and four motorcycles were also damaged. One of the victims later claimed on Facebook that the fire was related to loan shark activities and was possibly meant to target another house in the area. A homeowner had reportedly received a warning letter demanding repayment of a debt, but was not residing in any of the three houses that were set on fire.
