Teenager among detained in Melaka 'Ah Long' syndicate suspects

Local police have detained three men including a teenager on suspicion of being involved in an ''Ah Long'' or illegal money-lending syndicate that pocketed almost RM1.8 million in three years through charging exorbitant interest.

Melaka police Datuk Abd Jalil Hassan said the suspects aged 17, 21 and 22 years were nabbed at the syndicate''s office in Batu Berendam here about 1pm yesterday.

He said initial investigations found that the syndicate had been operating for three years and their clients were of different races and ages.

"This syndicate collects interest of between 17 and 19 per cent, amounting to RM50,000 monthly," he told a press conference here today, which was also attended by Melaka Commercial Crime Investigation Department chief Supt Baderul Hisham Baharudin.

He said the suspects, who are local residents, have been remanded for four days from today to assist in the investigation under Section 5(2) of the Moneylenders Act 1951 which on conviction carries a fine of not less than RM250,000 and not exceeding one million ringgit or five years imprisonment.

Meanwhile, Abd Jalil said 21 investigation papers had been opened to probe illegal money-lending activities in the state, involving RM230,000 between January and May this year.

-- BERNAMA