Pickleball Coach Hunted by Loan Sharks After Falling for Job Scam, Owes RM40,000

A 28-year-old pickleball coach in Johor Bahru is facing relentless threats from loan sharks after falling victim to a lucrative job scam. The coach, who asked to be identified only as Tan, borrowed RM23,000 from eight different loan sharks but is now being demanded to pay back RM40,000.

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I borrowed a sum of money from eight different loan sharks.

Tan explained that he was lured by an Instagram advertisement promising high profits through an investment scheme. Initially, he received about RM2,000 in returns, which gave him the confidence to invest a total of RM55,000. This substantial sum included his savings and the money borrowed from loan sharks.

However, the promised profits never materialized. Instead, Tan found himself targeted by loan sharks, who began issuing threats. He has since filed two police reports regarding the threats against him, his brother, and his parents. Tan managed to repay RM10,000 with funds borrowed from family and friends, but the loan sharks remain aggressive.

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I have borrowed some money from family members and friends to pay RM10,000 of the amount requested, but they continue to threaten me, my brother, and my parents.

Ang Tun Chek, a committee member of the Johor National Wawasan Party's Complaint Bureau, urged the public to exercise caution against such fraudulent schemes that promise high returns. He hopes these incidents will serve as a warning to prevent others from falling prey to irresponsible scammers.

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We hope this matter will awaken the public so they do not continue to be deceived by various scam tactics carried out by irresponsible parties.