KUALA LUMPUR: Police will launch a major crackdown on loan shark syndicates soon as part of an effort to curb loan-related scams.
In a Bernama report today, Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Abdul Hamid Bador warned that those involved in such activities will be arrested and prosecuted.
“Not long from now.. we will launch a major operation on 'Ah Long' (loan sharks) syndicates. They will be detained and charged in court.
“They could face action under Anti-Money Laundering, Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act (AMLA). I will go after them with a multi-prong approach,” he told Bernama.
The move came following numerous reports of aggresive methods applied by loan sharks to secure payment from loan defaulters.
It was reported that some of them even pasted photographs of loan defaulters at residential areas in order to shame them.
On another matter, Abdul Hamid said the Criminal Investigations Department and Commercial Crimes Investigation Department were working on various methods and approaches to combat illegal gambling activities in Kuala Lumpur.
“There have been arrests every week and I have observed that there is greater resolve in the force to clean up KL of these (gambling) syndicates.
“There have also been drastic action taken against gangsterism in the capital,” he was quoted as saying.