Suspects linked to nine mischief cases paid by Singapore loan sharks via social media
Malaysian police have arrested three suspects involved in a disturbing string of firebomb and paint-splash attacks allegedly ordered by Singapore-based loan sharks.
Selangor police apprehended two local men and a woman—aged 20 to 29—in a coordinated operation in Kepong and Bukit Jalil on April 8 and 9, following a March 20 complaint from a 29-year-old man in Ampang whose home was targeted with a petrol bomb. The case, believed to be linked to debt collection tactics, triggered a swift investigation and led to the suspects’ arrests.
According to Selangor police chief Datuk Hussein Omar Khan, the suspects were paid RM1,000 to RM1,500 per firebombing act by loan sharks based in Singapore. Payments were arranged through social media platforms, revealing an alarming trend of outsourced cross-border criminal activity.
Paint-Splash Attacks Also Linked
The suspects were also involved in paint-splashing attacks, for which they were paid RM600 to RM900 per job. These acts, typically used to intimidate debtors, were similarly arranged via online contacts. Hussein confirmed the male suspects had begun recruiting others through Facebook and similar channels, offering RM300 to RM350 for paint-related jobs and RM500–RM800 for arson.
Digital Proof for Payment Verification
The female suspect played a key role by documenting the criminal acts on video and in photos, which were sent to the loan sharks as proof of the job completion and trigger payment. These recordings formed crucial evidence in the investigation and highlighted the organized nature of the operations.
Nine Cases Across Four States
Police investigations revealed the trio’s involvement in nine separate cases of mischief across Malaysia—four in Selangor, two in Perak, two in Johor, and one in Negeri Sembilan. The arrests have effectively resolved four specific cases of fire and paint-related mischief in Ampang Jaya, Kajang, Serdang, and Kuala Langat.
Hussein stated that none of the suspects had previous criminal records. The two male suspects remain under police remand, while the female suspect has been released on bail. The case is being investigated under Section 436 of the Penal Code, which covers mischief by fire or explosive substances.
The discovery that Singapore-based loan sharks are hiring Malaysian citizens for criminal acts raises serious bilateral concerns. It underscores the growing need for cross-border law enforcement cooperation to prevent the exploitation of vulnerable individuals via digital platforms.
This case underscores the evolving threats posed by transnational crime networks that exploit digital tools to commission violent acts. For Indonesians and Singaporeans alike, the incident serves as a warning about regional loan shark syndicates and the increasing use of young, tech-savvy individuals for illegal work. Strengthening regional cooperation and cyber-monitoring will be key to halting such operations before they escalate further.
Sources: The Sun MY (2025), Bernama (2025)
Keywords: Malaysia Police, Firebomb Attacks, Paint Splashing, Loan Sharks, Singapore Crime, Social Media Recruitment
