Tow truck driver’s car torched in mistaken identity

SEGAMAT: A tow truck driver had a terrifying wake-up call when his slumber, despite a stomach ache, was cut short by the acrid smell of fumes.

Rushing outside, he was met with a horrifying sight – his car engulfed in flames.

Checks later found that the fire early Friday was likely started by an ah long who was seeking repayment for a loan taken by the brother of the previous house owner.

Mohd Norizan Ebon’s quick action with a garden hose prevented the fire from spreading further.

“When police arrived about an hour later, they thought that the fire was caused by a short-circuit in my car and advised me to lodge a report in the morning.

“One of my children later found a handwritten note with a threatening message placed outside my house. That was when I realised that we had fallen victim to a loan shark attack, although we have never borrowed money from anyone,” the 42-year-old said.

Mohd Norizan said the note carried the full name and MyKad number of the borrower.

“I found out that the person was the brother of the previous house owner,” he said, adding that he bought the house in Taman Sri Tenang in 2021.

When he reached out to the ex-owner, Mohd Norizan learned the culprit was the owner’s brother, Chong, who had borrowed money from an online moneylender on June 22.

When contacted, Chong, who works as a driver in Singapore, said he was in difficulty and needed S$1,000 (RM3,480).

“I was helped by a man who asked for my work permit, MyKad and latest payslip, which I gave as requested.

“However, only S$500 (RM1,740) was approved and I was told that I must repay S$700 (RM2,437) within a week,” he said, adding that the repayment amount was later raised to S$1,000.

Chong said he told the moneylender that he needed time to consider but the same evening, he was surprised to receive S$500 in his Singapore bank account.

He said he repaid the moneylender a total of $S1,000 on July 5 and July 7.

“I did not expect the moneylender’s runner to set fire to the house. When I contacted the runner after the incident, he demanded S$3,000 (RM10,441) from me to resolve the matter,” Chong said.

Segamat OCPD Supt Ahmad Zamry Manrinsah said the case was being investigated under Section 435 of the Penal Code for causing mischief by fire or explosive substance with intent to cause damage, which carries a jail term of up to seven years and a fine upon conviction.

He said police had also found a plastic container at the scene which was believed to have been used in the attack.