KUCHING: Police took down 23 illegal loan advertisement banners during an operation conducted around Sungai Maong here on Friday (Mar 27).
Kuching police chief ACP Alexson Naga Chabu said the operation, dubbed Ops Vulture, was carried out by the district’s Commercial Crime Investigation Department (CCID) to curb unlicensed money lending activities.
He said a police report was lodged following the removal of the banners, which were found hung on traffic light poles and streetlights in public areas.
“The action was taken following public complaints and as part of ongoing efforts to tackle illegal moneylending, which is often linked to non-existent loan scams and harassment against borrowers,” he said in a statement.
He warned that operating unlicensed moneylending services is an offence under the Moneylenders Act 1951.
Alexson also advised the public not to fall for suspicious advertisements placed in public areas without proper approval, and to report such activities to the authorities.
For assistance, the public may contact the National Scam Response Centre (NSRC) at 997 or check bank accounts and phone numbers via the Semak Mule portal.
