A maid who was working in Singapore borrowed nearly $4,000 from loan sharks. After her employer found out about it, she broke open a drawer in the house with a knife while her employer was away, took her passport and ran away.
Her employer, Ika, told Shin Min Daily News that the maid she hired was from Indonesia. She was shocked that the 32-year-old maid who started working in March last year actually took a loan from the loan sharks and eventually ran away.
Maid becomes heavily in debt to more than 10 Ah Longs
Her employer revealed that it is the maid’s first time working in Singapore and hence she is very new to the job. She did not know how to use the oven and other household appliances. Although the maid’s work performance was average, they treated her well and allowed her to use her mobile phone.
In November, the maid said she was having difficulties at home, so she wanted to get an advance pay of $300. After her employer agreed to it, she explained to the maid that the advance salary would be deducted from her December salary.
“In December, the maid said that she hopes that the money would be deducted in January, and I agreed,” the employer said.
On 3 January, her employer was feeling unwell and had stayed at home to rest. She then realised that the maid was restless and kept asking her employer why she was at home, which made her suspicious. “The next day, the maid confessed that she owed loan sharks money, but she didn’t explain the specific reason or amount.”
Initially, her employer thought the maid was trying to cheat money from her, but after checking her mobile phone, she found out that the maid owed loan sharks money, and she also received threatening text messages.
“Our address was exposed, and my husband was abroad. I was worried about the safety of my two children at home. I did not fire the maid. Instead, I promised to let her pay off the debt through salary.”
Unexpectedly, Ika received more text messages from three more loan sharks. Her husband checked the CCTV at home through a mobile phone app and found that the maid was missing and could not even be contacted. Worried that the loan sharks would come to their house, the husband urged the children to hide in the room and lock the door.
Ika, who works as a teacher, then rushes home from school, only to find a knife stained with blood left in front of the door.
“A drawer at home was pried open, and the maid’s passport was missing. There were drops of blood nearby. I believe the maid cut herself while prying open the drawer,” she added.
When Ika got home, her children were crying from fear. She then called the police and cancelled the maid’s work permit on the Ministry of Manpower website.
The police confirmed that they received a report and investigations are ongoing.
