While not all heroes wear capes, some could be paid-for fakes as one man has revealed he works as a ‘villain for hire’ to allow other men to look like ‘heroes’.
Shazali Sulaiman, from Malaysia, has reportedly utilised his ‘gangster looks’ by using them for a unique (though rather questionable) business venture.
The 28-year-old is reportedly advertising himself as a ‘villain for hire’, the premise of which involves him ‘harassing’ a client’s girlfriend or partner so that they can parachute in and rescue their damsel in distress like a knight in shining armor.
Advertising his service on Facebook, he wrote: “HIT ME UP FOR A WONDERFUL SHOW ON YA GIRL. Are you guys tired because your girlfriends think you’re soft and treat you indifferently?”
He went on to say for a ‘reasonable’ fee of RM100 (around $22) on weekdays, which hikes to RM150 (roughly $34) on weekends, he can be booked to help the men ‘prove’ their romantic interests wrong.
The only other criteria is clients need to provide a suitable time and a public location.
He also suggests physical violence between him and the client isn’t off the cards either, adding: “I will come to disturb your girlfriend and you become [the] hero by hitting me.”
However, he insisted his comments that he is simply ‘acting’ and is more like a ‘prank’. But to sweeten the deal, Sulaiman posted a selfie, posing with messy hair and an unlit cigarette, apparently to show off his bad boy appearance.
The bizarre business venture has since gone viral on social media and around the world, with many praising the idea as a great ‘hustle’ and idea.
Sulaiman also told his Facebook following he’s even had one success story already with a client.
Performing his role dutifully, he said he pretended to ‘harass’ the unsuspecting partner of a client when he went to the toilet, an apparent cue for the act to start.
The ‘villain’ explained: “When he returned, he confronted me like a hero.”
But some have highlighted concerns about the legality of the business and if hiring someone to commit harassment is still harassment.
Many have also queried if Sulaiman could land himself in Malaysian jail, as the law states those who are convicted of sexual harassment face three months behind bars, a hefty fine – or both – and could be forced to fork out compensation to the victim for any financial or emotional harm caused.
However, Sulaiman claims no one is harmed and compared his service to a performance, adding: “It’s all just an act, like WWE. No one gets hurt, I’m the only loser.”
