First of all, I want to explain the meaning of loan shark. I believe that not everyone knows what does it means. A loan shark is a person or body that offers unsecured loans at high interest rates to individuals, often backed by blackmail or threats of violence. In much of history, usury laws made loan sharks commonplace. Many moneylenders skirted between legal and extra-legal activity. In recent years and no matter where it is, loan shark have been a feature of the criminal underworld, but otherwise rare. There are many registered and legal lenders that lend to people who cannot get loans from the most mainstream lenders such as large banks. They often operate in cash, whereas mainstream lenders increasingly operate only electronically, which means that they will not deal with people who do not have a bank account. Terms such as subprime lending and "non-standard consumer credit" are used for this type of lender. Payday loans are one example of this type of consumer finance. The availability of these products has made true loan sharks rarer, though some legal lenders have been accused of behaving in an exploitative manner.
In Malaysia, Ah Long (derived from the Cantonese phrase "daai ji lung", 大耳窿) is a term for illegal loan sharks in Malaysia and Singapore. They lend money to people who are unable to obtain loans from banks or other legal sources, mostly targeting habitual gamblers. They charge a very high interest rate (about 40% per month due to the constantly compounding interest.), and frequently threaten violence (and administer it) towards those who fail to pay in time.
Ah Longs advertised their services merely by distributing their calling cards. They distribute their card to everyone and anywhere. This make gambler can fing Ah Long anytime and anywhere.
In Malaysia, Ah Long (derived from the Cantonese phrase "daai ji lung", 大耳窿) is a term for illegal loan sharks in Malaysia and Singapore. They lend money to people who are unable to obtain loans from banks or other legal sources, mostly targeting habitual gamblers. They charge a very high interest rate (about 40% per month due to the constantly compounding interest.), and frequently threaten violence (and administer it) towards those who fail to pay in time.
Ah Longs advertised their services merely by distributing their calling cards. They distribute their card to everyone and anywhere. This make gambler can fing Ah Long anytime and anywhere.
The main reason that there are many gamblers borrow money from Ah Long is because they do believe if they win this game they will able to pay back everything included the money borrowed from Ah Long. With this reason , it make Ah Long keep increase in this sociaty. Gamblers never thinking the affect if they not able to pay the money to Ah Long.
Ah Longs do borrow money to anyone who holding an valid an identification card and the person must above 18 years old. Ah Longs will keep a photocopy of the identification card for their own save.
When a person fails to pay in time, the Ah Long will spray, splash, or write in red paint on the walls of the house or property of that person as a threat of violence and to shame the borrower into repaying the loan. According to local police authorities, there have been cases where borrowers were beaten or had their property damaged or destroyed, and some victims have committed suicide.
