Malaysia, JOHOR BARU: A jobless man is living in fear after being harassed for spending RM20,000 (S$8,426) which belonged to his former girlfriend.

The man alleged that an Ah Long, who is his ex-girlfriend's brother, was now harassing him to pay up the amount with RM16,000 in 'interest'.

Chew You Her, 36, said his former girlfriend had deposited RM20,000 into his bank account in August last year as her account had been blacklisted after she sold her car without informing the bank. They broke up last month after dating for three years.

'I tried to persuade her not to put the money into my account but she put it there anyway because she was blacklisted,' he told reporters during a press conference yesterday organised by Johor Baru MCA Public Complaints Bureau deputy chief Michael Tay.

Chew admitted using the money to help fund his then car accessory shop in Taman Tun Ungku Aminah, which eventually closed down.

'Initially, it was she who was harassing me for the money. But earlier this month, the brother together with four men came to my house and started to threaten me by kicking and slapping me,' he said.

Chew then told them that he could not afford to pay the interest payments because of his failed business, adding that the men then told him to pay RM3,000 monthly to settle his 'account' and took some items including his ATM cards, several electrical items, MyKad, house grant and passport.

'I am living in my friends' houses or hiding in cheap hotels to evade the Ah Long. Even now, I only have RM23 with me and two pieces of clothing,' he said.

He added that he was willing to repay the RM20,000 after finding a new job. He lodged a police report on March 4.

Johor Baru (North) OCPD Asst Comm Ruslan Hassan said that while the feud between the two individuals was more of a civil matter, police were investigating Chew's claims that he was threatened by his former girlfriend's brother.

He also advised the woman to take legal action against Chew.