Borrower conned man with mental illness: Debt-collection firm

SINGAPORE — The debt collection agency whose licensee agents were captured on video creating ruckus outside an alleged debtor’s home in Buangkok has responded to criticism over its methods.

In a statement to the media, the agency, JMS Rogers, said the agents in the video were from its licensee, DZ Global. “All our licensed debt collectors are properly trained before they work in the field and their modus operandi do not involve physical attacks or property destruction,” it said.

The agency also claimed that in this instance, the debtor had “conned” S$23,000 from a mentally-handicapped man and caused immense stress to his family.

The video of the incident was uploaded on website The Online Citizen on Monday (Oct 13). It shows three men creating a commotion outside the alleged debtor’s home, shouting and banging on the door and metal gate.

One of the debt collectors, speaking in a mix of Mandarin and Hokkien, shouted: “You’d better come out to talk. Don’t make me angry or I will do something to you. If you want to call the police, call them now!”

Video:theonlinecitizen toc/YouTube

DZ Global said in a separate statement on its Facebook page that the debt collectors in the video were acting within the confines of the law and according to the standard operating procedure of the company.

“This collection happened at 8pm at Buangkok and we have clarified details with disturbed neighbours, one of the neighbour even aided us in negotiating a settlement. This debtor had borrowed S$23,021 from our client’s son who suffered from mental illness in pretence of setting up a business, but instead used the money for his own luxury and leisure in bad faith,” DZ Global said.

The video clip posted also did not depict the entire incident. “The police arrived shortly after and the debtor opened the door. We then proceeded to discuss the matter amicably in a calm manner,” the company said. “DZ Global hopes that the public will understand that our professional debt collectors were provoked by the debtor before the video was taken and we were just trying to collect on the debt so that our client could get back his money as soon as possible.”