Monday, November 16, 2009

NEWS: Ah Longs use Facebook to shame debtors

KUALA LUMPUR: It appears that Ah Longs (loan sharks) have now resorted to the popular social networking website, Facebook, to threaten and humiliate debtors into settling outstanding debts.

MCA Public Service and Complaints Department head Datuk Michael Chong said the new modus operandi involved posting of the victim’s identity, including photographs, personal information and their debts, on the website.

“Prior to this, the Ah Longs used red paint and posters to humiliate their debtors but now, they are posting the debtors’ personal information on the social website,” he told reporters at the MCA headquarters here yesterday.

Chong said the latest case involved a car accessory shop worker who found an Ah Long’s threatening message posted on the website, demanding that he pay his outstanding debts.

The 25-year-old victim from Batu 9, Cheras, had taken a RM1,000 loan in September, but was now forced to pay RM80,000, inclusive of interests accrued.

The victim lodged a report at the Kajang police headquarters last Friday. — Bernama

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