Penang Commercial Criminal Investigation Department head Mohd Rosni Mohd Lazim said the raid was conducted following a report lodged by one of the borrowers.

“The borrower had obtained a RM700 loan early this year and had settled the repayments, but the syndicate continued to harass him for payment and also threatened to kidnap his family members if he refused to pay,” he said in a statement today.

He said the syndicate offered its loans through WhatsApp.

During the raid, police also seized 10 handphones, bank cards, phone SIM cards, two cars, a bunch of keys, a notebook and RM3,375.

Rosni said the suspects, aged between 20 and 22, were paid between RM2,000 and RM3,500 a month by the syndicate to demand payment and threaten borrowers for payment.

Police are now tracking the mastermind and other members of the syndicate, he added.