Loan Shark’s Lost Phone Exposes RM27 Million Annual Earnings From Massive & Intricate Operation

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A non-government organisation (NGO) has exposed a massive loan shark operation in the Klang Valley with an annual revenue of RM27 million from one of its groups

In a press conference yesterday, 12 March, the Malaysia International Humanitarian Organisation (MHO) said the exposé was not part of a planned effort to uncover the loan shark syndicate, but arose from an incident involving one of its activists.

Recounting the incident, an MHO activist, known only as Joshua, said he was helping a victim confront a group of loan sharks in Kampung Sungai Penchala, Kuala Lumpur, on 3 March.

He said the group had allegedly been threatening the victim. When they realised it was a setup, they fled the scene, leaving behind a smartphone.

The device was later found to contain detailed information about the syndicate, exposing a large-scale operation involving hundreds of members and a complex organisational structure.

Below are some of the highlights of the revelations:

• A manual to expand operations with a "franchise" model: A 69-page operational manual was discovered, written in Mandarin, detailing everything from how to manage clients to how to respond if arrested by police.
• Corporate structure: The syndicate has a corporate-like structure with an organisational hierarchy, periodic sales and performance reports, and performance-based incentives like overseas trips for "top sales" members.
• RM25 million profits from a single group: One team with around 25 members recorded a profit of RM27 million last year. In the first two months of 2026, another team had already raked RM2.3 million.
• A question-and-answer document: A Q&A document that teaches members how to respond to police interrogation to avoid being implicated in crimes.
• Systematic violence: The syndicate records videos of their criminal acts (splashing paint, throwing firebombs and even pig bones at the homes of Muslim victims) as "proof of work" to claim payment from their bosses.
• A gallery of photos of "all" members: Apart from videos of paint-slashing and Molotov cocktail attacks, the phone also contained images of all the syndicate's members.
• Alleged leaked police reports: Evidence suggests the syndicate has access to a system where they receive copies of police reports filed against them, sometimes even before the victim has left the police station. This information is shared in a dedicated WhatsApp group.
• Alleged "tawaran" (offers) to investigating agencies: Members are instructed on how much tawaran should be offered upon arrest, with an individual in the organisation, known as 'PR', tasked with arranging the delivery.
• Data harvesting: The syndicate uses private groups to buy and sell the personal data of victims and their families, including addresses, family details, and vehicle ownership information.
• Money laundering: Profits are allegedly laundered through the fraudulent purchases of seafood from a specific company and other channels.
• RM2 million offer: The syndicate allegedly offered Joshua up to RM2 million to return the phone and prevent the information from being exposed.

According to China Press, the 69-page manual also outlined how members should conduct themselves, including dress codes meant to avoid drawing attention, such as banning sling bags, short pants, or slippers, which are often associated with loan sharks.

"From Monday to Friday, work attire must be neat: collared shirts, long pants, and covered shoes. On Saturdays, T-shirts, long pants, and sports shoes are allowed. Remember, this is a corporation," it read.

Members are strictly prohibited from using drugs or gambling, with violations risking expulsion.

"No violent behaviour towards clients is allowed, including hitting, throwing red paint, or locking doors with padlocks. The company will not protect anyone who disobeys these rules," it added.

The manual also required leave requests to be submitted at least two weeks in advance, except in cases of emergency.

MHO secretary-general Datuk Hishamuddin Hashim said he wanted to not only highlight the victims' ordeal, but also call on the police to dismantle the entire organisation

He said that while the NGO will continue assisting the victims, the focus should be on ending the syndicate's operation, arguing that investigations under Section 506 of the Penal Code for criminal intimidation and Section 5(2) of the Moneylenders Act 1951 for operating an unlicensed moneylending business are not severe enough to stop them.

"The purpose of this press conference is to prove that this Ah Long syndicate is an organised crime syndicate. They should be investigated under Section 130V of the Penal Code as an organised criminal group," he said.

According to Berita Harian, three local men were arrested on 6 March in connection with MHO's exposé, and efforts are being made to arrest more suspects.

Brickfields district police chief ACP Hoo Chang Hook said the case will be investigated under Section 5(2) of the Moneylenders Act 1951.

Watch the full press conference here: