M'sia man, 32, owed loan sharks over S$62,700, takes own life, they immediately start harassing family

Lin Zucheng, a 32-year-old accountant from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, took his own life on the evening of August 7 while falling from the 24th floor of his apartment to the ninth-floor platform. Reports indicate that he was deeply in debt, owing loan sharks a substantial amount, approximately S$62,700 (RM200,000). Prior to his death, Lin had reportedly fallen prey to online scams and was addicted to various online trading platforms, including 30 different applications on his mobile phone.

His girlfriend, Liang, had been aware of his financial troubles, as he had borrowed money from her over the years, amounting to nearly S$15,800 (RM40,000). Liang noted that he had been working in the accounting industry and providing part-time IT services. She noticed his car parked at their apartment on the evening of the tragic incident, but he did not respond to her calls, both personal and professional.

Upon learning of his death, Liang received calls from loan sharks requesting repayment of his debts, with a RM30,000 (S$9,413) demand that he pay RM10,000 (S$3,137) on the same day and another equal amount the following day, until the total was fully repaid with interest. Liang sought assistance from a Malaysian Member of Parliament and the complaints bureau, but the loan sharks continued to harass her family.

Her mother, Cai Lirong, expressed her inability to repay the debts and implored the loan sharks to desist from their harassment. Lin's funeral proceedings are scheduled for Sunday morning on August 16.