Kuching: A 23-year-old man’s experience with an online moneylender has turned into a nightmare of harassment and alleged extortion, prompting Stampin MP Chong Chieng Jen to urge the public not to borrow from lenders advertising on Facebook or social media platforms.
The victim, identified only as Mr. Law, reportedly came across a Facebook advertisement on 29 January 2026, which redirected him to the website https://www.gobiaya.com.my, where he borrowed RM450 from the website owner.
According to Chong, Mr. Law repaid RM902 via DuitNow QR on 12 February 2026, believing the matter had been fully settled after repaying double the borrowed amount within just two weeks.
“However, on 11 March 2026, the moneylender allegedly contacted Mr. Law through WhatsApp, demanding an additional RM2,484. The same demand notice, along with images of his identity card, was reportedly also sent to his parents, brother, and relatives.
“Mr. Law subsequently lodged a police report and ignored the demands,” he said in a statement.
Chong added that the harassment allegedly escalated further on 29 April 2026 when the moneylender again circulated images of Mr. Law’s identity card and family members through multiple phone numbers to his relatives and family members via WhatsApp.
“This time, the alleged lender demanded RM4,738. From RM450, despite payment of RM902, the alleged debt has now become RM4,738! This is outright extortion.
“The incident had caused tremendous anxiety and emotional distress to Mr. Law and his family, who later sought my assistance,” he said, advising Mr. Law to lodge another police report concerning harassment and extortion.
Chong said he had also written to the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC), requesting that authorities trace those behind the harassment and suspend the related social media accounts, telephone numbers, and bank accounts involved.
He stressed that abuse of social media platforms and internet banking services had become increasingly rampant and mentally abusive, making it easier for scammers to target the public.
Chong urged the Royal Malaysia Police, MCMC, and Bank Negara Malaysia to play a more proactive and aggressive role in tackling online loan scams and cyber harassment cases.
He also reminded the public not to borrow from unverified lenders advertising on Facebook or other social media platforms.
“All these so-called ‘easy loans’ will only make borrowers easy targets for exploitation and scams,” he said.
Chong added that his office would continue to press the authorities to intensify investigations into rogue online moneylenders who commit crimes anonymously.
