M’sian man chains HDB door shut, sets fire to flat with family inside to earn $2,500

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M’sian man sets fire to flat with family inside for $2,500​

stomp.sgOpen
A Malaysian man who accepted $2,500 to harass an alleged debtor locked a family of seven inside their flat and set fire to their front door in the middle of the night.

According to Shin Min Daily News, the 32-year-old man, identified as Velu, was sentenced to 19 months and two weeks’ jail after pleading guilty to a charge of mischief by fire. Another charge of wrongful confinement was taken into consideration during sentencing.

Accused offered money for the job​

The victim was a 41-year-old man who lived with his wife, two children aged nine and three, his parents, and sister in the affected unit.

At the time, the man was under police investigation in relation to a scam case.

Velu was reportedly facing financial troubles and working odd jobs when he received a message from an unknown person in late November 2023. The unknown individual asked him to harass a resident in Tampines — including locking the flat door and setting fire to it.