Loanshark: Pay $100 for 5-minute phone call
Lianhe Wanbao
A loanshark tried to extort $100 from a man who had made a five-minute phone call to ask about borrowing money.
Mr Ye had received a text from a moneylender last Saturday evening (7 April) offering to lend him cash.
The 50-year-old taxi driver needed money urgently and decided to try the number provided.
When he spoke to the loanshark over the phone, Ye asked to borrow $1,000, but was told to provide information on his current employment.
Afraid that the loanshark might harass the taxi company he works with, Ye changed his mind and turned down the offer for money.
This caused the loanshark to flare up and accuse Ye of wasting his time.
The loanshark then demanded a $100 'consultation fee' for the five minutes that he spoke to Ye.
Refusing to pay, Ye ended up arguing with the loanshark, who repeatedly threatened to harass Ye's neighbours and splash paint on his door.
A few minutes after the loanshark hung up, Ye received a text message that contained the names, unit numbers and phone numbers of three of his neighbours.
Ye exclaimed, "I've been staying here for more than ten years and I don't know what their (my neighbour's) surnames are! But the loanshark took only find minutes to find out that information."
Afraid that the loanshark may carry out his threats, Ye has lodged a police report over the incident.
Source: Lianhe Wanbao, 11 April 2012.
