SIBU: Police have removed 112 illegally displayed banners advertising suspected unlicensed moneylending services during an operation here yesterday.
Sibu District Police chief ACP Zulkipli Suhaili said the operation, codenamed Op Vulture, was carried out by the district’s Commercial Crime Investigation Division to curb the activities of suspected unlicensed moneylenders operating at several locations in the district.
He said throughout the operation, five police reports were lodged involving the removal of banners hung illegally on traffic signposts and lamp posts in public areas, including along Jalan Sungai Antu, Jalan Wong Ting Hook, Jalan Igan, Jalan Teng Chin Hua and Jalan Serai.
“This action was taken following public complaints and as part of the police’s continuous efforts to combat unlicensed moneylending activities, which have also contributed to various problems, particularly in financial fraud and extortion cases involving borrowers,” he said in a statement last night.
Zulkipli warned all parties not to engage in unlicensed moneylending activities, which is an offence under the Moneylenders Act 1951 (Act 400), as legal action could be taken against offenders.
He also advised the public not to be deceived by advertisements displayed in public places without legitimate sources and urged them to report directly to the police if they detect any suspicious advertising.
“For advice or further information, the public can contact the National Scam Response Centre (NSRC) at 997, follow the Facebook pages at CyberCrimeAlertRMP and JSJKPDRM, and check the legitimacy of any suspicious bank accounts or phone numbers via the website http://ccid.rmp.gov.my/semakmule/,” he said.
