IPOH: The police are hot on the trail of an illegal moneylending syndicate that uses mobile apps for its illicit services.

       Perak police chief Comm Datuk Mior Faridalathrash Wahid said they received a police report from a complainant who had borrowed money from the loan sharks via an app.

       He added that police arrested three people, all aged 22, believed to be with the syndicate, at an apartment at Desa Aman Puri, Kuala Lumpur on Jan 3.

       “All three were remanded from the date of their arrests until Jan 10.

       “We will extend their remands as we believe they are involved in a dozen cases nationwide,” he told a press conference here yesterday.

       “The apartment was used as a call centre and the suspects would use different company names when dealing with borrowers,” he said.

       He added that the police had also seized various items used in the operation, including smartphones, computers, laptops and modems.

       Elaborating on the apps, he said users would have had to enter their personal details as well as upload their photographs.

       “One of the apps we are aware of is called BB Lend. Borrowers are required to record a video clip of them holding their MyKad and stating the amount they want to borrow.

       “The loan shark will threaten to upload pictures of the borrower’s families on social media if they fail to pay back the money with interest.

       “We also found quite a number of other similar apps and will check with the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission on their legality,” he said, while advising people to stay away from illegal moneylenders.