KULAI: A family of five are now living in fear after their house in Taman Muhibbah here was mistakenly splashed with red paint.

       Deliveryman Mohd Hafiz Mohd Khairi, 36, said that he was shocked to find red paint on his house when he and his family returned home from a day trip to their hometown in Kota Tinggi.

       "I was puzzled when I saw the red paint splashed all over my house. I have never borrowed money from anyone, let alone loan sharks,” he said.

       He added that three of his eight cats were covered with paint and that some of his pet fish died due to poisoning from the paint.

       "They also left a note on my gate, threatening to burn down my house if I refuse to pay the loan. They also put an address on the note, which refers to the house next door and not my house," he said in a press conference on Tuesday (Nov 9).

       The father of three said that he immediately lodged a police report after seeing the red paint as he was worried about the safety of his family, especially his children who are aged between eight and 15 years old.

       "I am worried about my family's safety, especially since the loan sharks have threatened to burn my house.” said Mohd Hafiz.

       He added that a Singapore phone number was left on the note for a man named “Kent”.

       "My wife called the number in an attempt to explain to them that they have gotten the wrong house but they responded by saying that they don't care if it’s my neighbour or me who borrowed the money, they just want it back,” said Mohd Hafiz.

       "They told me to pay on my neighbour’s behalf if I do not want to put my family's life in danger," he added.

       Mohd Hafiz said that he had also spoken to his neighbours about the incident and they claimed that no one from their family had borrowed any money.

       "My neighbours are an old couple in their 60's and their 38-year-old son said that no one from their house has borrowed money from the loan sharks. They told me that they have also contacted their two children living in Singapore who also claimed that they did not take up any loans," he said.

       Meanwhile, the police confirmed that they received a report from Mohd Hafiz on Monday (Nov 8).