A LOCAL family is living in constant fear after their son, a lorry driver working in Singapore, became the target of illegal moneylenders following a loan application on social media.
Hoo Chong Kang, 58, told reporters during a press conference at Taman Universiti organised by Iskandar Puteri MP special representative Ng Siam Luang on Monday that his 35-year-old son had come across a money-lending offer in November.
“He has a girlfriend and often buys her gifts, sometimes leaving him with little money,” Hoo said.
The son initially sought to borrow SG$10,000 (RM31,743), but the lender offered him SG$30,000 (RM95,229) instead.
When the loan application was rejected, the moneylender demanded compensation, claiming they had suffered “losses” during the application process.
“Out of fear, he borrowed SG$7,000 (RM22,220) from his friends to pay them. After that, they demanded another SG$4,000 (RM12,697), which he did not have,” The Star cited Hoo saying.
Hoo added that his son only revealed the situation once it became clear that the syndicate in Singapore had access to relatives’ information in Malaysia.
The moneylender reportedly introduced his son to another lender who offered a loan to settle the debt but required an additional SG$3,000 (RM9,521) processing fee, which the son refused.
On November 28, the family received threatening phone calls from the syndicate.
“The threats seemed like a scam at first, but on Saturday (Dec 6) at around 4.18am, I smelled something burning outside my home. When I checked, I found the front porch on fire and a threatening note left on the gate,” Hoo added.
Since then, Hoo and his family have been living in fear, with some members temporarily staying at a relative’s house.
“I have been having sleepless nights, but I told my son not to be afraid because neither he nor I borrow money from loan sharks, and we will get through this as a family,” he said.
Hoo has lodged two police reports in Malaysia, while his son has filed one in Singapore. A police official confirmed the reports and stated that the investigation is ongoing.
The case highlights the cross-border reach of predatory lenders and the escalating intimidation tactics, including threats and arson, employed against borrowers and their families. - December 8, 2025
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