The Singapore Police Force said in a press release that they have arrested a 17-year-old male teenager for alleged loanshark activities.
The boy had allegedly locked a debtor’s home with a bicycle lock and scribbled on the wall beside the debtor’s flat.
His identity was established by officers from Jurong Police Division through the use of police cameras and ground enquiries, and he was subsequently arrested on 26 April.
Singapore Police Force’s press release
TEENAGER ARRESTED FOR LOANSHARK HARASSMENT
The Police have arrested a 17-year-old male teenager for his suspected involvement in loansharking activities.
On 23 April 2023, the Police were alerted to a case of loanshark harassment where the gate of a residential unit along Choa Chu Kang Avenue 1 was locked with a bicycle lock and wordings were scribbled on the wall beside the unit.
Through ground enquiries and with the aid of images from Police cameras, officers from Jurong Police Division established the identity of the teenager and arrested him on 26 April 2023. Police investigations are ongoing.
Under the Moneylenders Act 2008, first time offenders found guilty of loanshark harassment shall be fined not less than $5,000 and not more than $50,000, with mandatory imprisonment of up to five years, and mandatory caning of up to six strokes.
The Police have zero tolerance for loanshark harassment activities. Those who deliberately vandalise properties or cause annoyance and disruption to public safety and security, will be dealt with severely in accordance with the law.
Members of the public are advised to stay away from loansharks and not work with or assist the loansharks in any way. The public can call the Police at ‘999’ or the X-Ah Long hotline at 1800-924-5664 if they suspect or know of anyone who could be involved in loansharking activities.
PUBLIC AFFAIRS DEPARTMENT
SINGAPORE POLICE FORCE
27 April 2023 @ 12:35 PM