Hi guys just wanted to share my experience as a victim of loansharks. I'm not really the victim because i approached them on my own accord to fuel my gambling addiction. Started with 1 loanshark and eventually i owed a few. Borrowing from A to return B to return C to return D ect... This went on for a few years. I was borrowing more than XXX my salary, having to return weekly/monthly payments. Eventually I had no more money to return them. I owed them more than 100K.
First step I did was approach NCPG to ban myself and ask for assistance to tackle my addiction. NCPG assigned a telephone counselor to me and gave me a few numbers, community services to approach. The NCPG counselor was helpful but really lacked experience. Felt like a young chap in suit and tie, fresh out of univeristy reading off a checklist. After a few sessions with them, i stopped. However, 1 of the community services i reached out to really helped me a lot mentally. First meeting with them, they told me to stop all payments to loansharks. First few months will be tough.. but eventually you'll see light at the end of the tunnel they told me. So that was the day i decided to just cut all contact. I blocked them all.
- After few days, random whatsapp messages started to text me threatening me/family. They took picture of my block, door, letterbox ect. Saying if i don't contact them they will hurt us. Then they started texting my family too (i provided their numbers when i first took the loan).
- Few days later. Another number whatsapp photos of flyers they had printed of my photo. Threatening they will drop around the estate.
- Few days later they released a video on social medias of me + photos they had found on social media accounts. They sent to all contacts they could find. Colleagues, friends, everyone. Even got their personal details. Think last time there was a data leak so the info has been circulating around. Most probably from telco my guess.
- Then came grab food. Sent to the house. I told the delivry people i had been scammed. Most just left after i explained. 1 I had to call the police and he eventually left.
- Few days later, sent scam victims to my house to collect $$ from me. Happened twice in 2 days. Both times I called the police who came to speak to the scam victims.
- Then they dropped flyers in all letter boxes for few blocks.
- Decided to install CCTV with police report + town council approval.
- Then came the epic moment where they padlock+ splashed paint on my door and painted the main corridor wall. Eventually got a bangla to help to clean $100 and town council came to clean the common corridor. IO updated they they had caught 2 out of 3 that came to splash.
My advise it won't be easy. At first i was scared malu... but eventually fcuk the malu. I brought it upon myself and not only i had to face this problem but also all the innocent people around me.
- First step is to seek professional help espeically if you have an addiction. Because you will never cure your root problem if you don't.
- Second is prepare to lose all face (this is a must). Speak to all your loved ones, neighbours, company ect. Must let them know in advance. You can tell them you are a scam victim or something.
- Third is STOP ALL PAYMENTS AND DON'T COMMUNICATE WITH THEM.
- Fourth is lodge police report - police will petrol your area more often. Police will eventually catch the runners but always have to wait for action before they can follow up. So don't blame them for not helping. They can't stand guard at your door 24/7.
- Fifth install CCTV outside. Sim Lim can buy less than $100. Get bangla help you drill.
- Sixth tahan the harrasement. It will come in waves. It will be shitty. But eventually it will die down as long as you don't communicate.
- Seven is don't worry about them physcially harming you or your family. They will make threats but in singapore very very very rare that they will touch a single hair. Unlike malaysia where it is the wild wild west.. in singapore most of the dirty work is carried out by runners who are debtors themselves trying to clear their own loans. They don't dare to physcially touch you.
Eight - Laylow for few months. Close all your social media. Change your HP number (best sign new line under someone else name). Be careful when traveling to Malaysia - JB. Because 99% of the loansharks are based in Malaysia. I'd avoid all travel to Malaysia. Don't show presense there.
- Nine. TAHAN. Eventually they will move on. Yes few months later might harress again.. but eventually it will stop. They will always have new targets to focus on.
-Ten. Dont fall back into the same trap!
