Sibu cops looking for 19-year-old to assist investigations into illegal money-lending case

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SIBU: Police are looking for one Yap Qi Wei, 19, to assist investigations into an illegal money-lending case.

Sarawak Commercial Crime Investigation Department (CCID) chief Supt Mustafa Kamal Gani Abdullah said on Wednesday (Aug 7) that a 30-year-old man lodged a police report on July 5, saying that he was a victim of Ah Long (loan sharks).

The complainant had borrowed RM1, 200 from an Ah Long who had been introduced by a friend on May 12.

"The loan was given to him inside a car near Kuching International Airport. He was told that he had to pay back RM2, 000 in 10 days' time. He had signed an agreement but was not given a copy of it, " he added.

However, on July 4, Supt Mustafa said the complainant received a threatening message, demanding he pay RM4, 000 instead.

Subsequently, he had also found that messages asking him to pay up were written in red paint on the wall of his house in Mile 12, Pensissen Road.

Supt Mustafa said his department had opened two files to investigate in the case.

They included Section 5 (2) of the Money Lending Act 1951 for carrying out money-lending business without a valid licence, which provides for a fine of not less than RM250, 000 and not more than RM1mil or five years jail or both if convicted.

The second file is under Section 29B of the same Act for threatening and harassing the complainant. The offence carries a maximum penalty of RM250, 000 and three-year imprisonment; and whipping for the subsequent offence.

Supt Mustafa urged members of the public who know the whereabouts of Yap Qi Wei, whose MyKad number is 991106-04-5363, to contact investigating officer Insp Mohd Hisyam Mohd Shah at 016-456 9169 or Insp Hamizan Ismail at 016-445 5695.- Star