Loansharks firebomb JB man's house after son working in S'pore allegedly borrowed S$30,000

The family of a 35-year-old man in Johor Bahru, Malaysia was allegedly targeted by illegal moneylenders from Singapore after he applied for a loan with them.

His father, Hoo Chong Kang, 58, told New Straits Times (NST), that the man was persuaded to borrow RM95,192 (S$30,000) but did not receive the money.

The loansharks later allegedly attempted to intimidate their family by throwing a Molotov cocktail at their home in the Iskandar Puteri district on Dec. 6, reported The Star.

Loanshark did not transfer money but demanded payment

Hoo's son, who reportedly works in Singapore at Changi Airport, had previously engaged with the loansharks to borrow money, but did not follow through with the arrangement.

The loansharks had initially posed as a licensed financial company, and prompted him to furnish personal details.

He was convinced to borrow RM95,192 (S$30,000) but did not receive the sum.

However, the loansharks allegedly told him that they had transferred him the money and demanded S$10,000 in interest after he said that he wanted to cancel the loan.

They also started threatening him and his family unless he paid at least S$7,000.

Molotov cocktail allegedly thrown at house

According to The Star, Hoo said that he "smelled something burning" outside the family home at around 4:18am on Dec. 6.

He later discovered part of the front porch burned, along with a threatening note.

He also found broken glass, which local authorities believed to be remnants of a Molotov cocktail, reported NST.

CCTV footage captured two men stopping outside the house before the incident and leaving a notice on the gate, addressing Ho's son.

"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," Hoo said.

He has lodged a report at the Taman Universiti police station, as well as to the special representative of Iskandar Puteri member of parliament Liew Chin Tong.

Hoo noted that it was his son's "mistake" for "not checking the background of the financial institution first".

He added: "We are at a loss thinking about the family and our home. I cannot imagine what would have happened if their actions had caused a major fire, resulting in the loss of our property or even lives."

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