This is the latest tactic by a loan shark to force borrowers to pay up, said MCA Public Services and Complaints Department head Datuk Michael Chong.
Chris, 30, (not her real name) borrowed money to help her then boyfriend repay his gambling debts five months ago and ended up owing 14 loan sharks totalling RM98,140, said Chong yesterday.
The real estate agent from Wangsa Maju broke off with the man after realising that he had perpetual gambling habits.
The boyfriend had gone missing since January and the loan sharks had called the woman’s office and harassed her, Chong said.
Chong managed to negotiate with the “Ah Long” to accept the return of their capital sum totalling RM50,000 by Chris but one Patrick demanded RM6,000 in interest.
Asked why the high interest, Patrick claimed that Chris was often late in paying up.
Quoting Patrick’s words, Chong said: “Even if she is late for five hours, she has to pay RM2,400 in interest.”
Chong said the demand was unreasonable, adding that Chris would lodge a police report against Patrick at the Sentul police station tomorrow.
“Licensed moneylenders only charge 1.5% interest a month,” he said. Chong again reminded the public not to turn to loan sharks to borrow money.
Up to yesterday, the department has received 196 cases of “Ah Long” harassment. The highest number of cases was in April, at 36, he said.
