The Singapore Police Force have arrested 2 men for separate cases of loanshark harassment at a number of residential units.
First case
The Police have arrested a 33-year-old man for his suspected involvement in a case of loanshark harassment.
On 17 June 2023, the Police were alerted to a case of loanshark harassment at a residential unit along Tampines Street 22, where the unit’s front door and metal gate was splashed with red and black paint.
Through follow-up investigations and with the aid of images from Police cameras, officers from Bedok Police Division established the identity of the man and arrested him on 24 June 2023. Preliminary investigations revealed that the man is allegedly involved in other similar cases of loanshark harassments.
The man will be charged in court on 26 June 2023 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 caning of up to six strokes.
The Police have zero tolerance for loanshark harassment activities. Those who deliberately vandalise properties, cause annoyance and disruption to public safety, peace 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 to work with or assist them 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 illegal loansharking activities.
Second case
The Police have arrested a 38-year-old man for his suspected involvement in a case of loanshark harassment.
On 25 June 2023, the Police were alerted to a case of loanshark harassment at a residential unit along Geylang East Avenue 1, where the padlock for the front gate was glued with an unknown substance and the walls beside the unit were scrawled with loanshark-related graffiti. A debtor’s note was also left behind.
Through investigations and with the aid of images from Police cameras, officers from Bedok Police Division established the identity of the man within 24 hours and arrested him on 26 June 2023.
The man will be charged in court on 27 June 2023 under the Moneylenders Act 2008. For first time offenders, the offence of loanshark harassment carries a fine of 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 against loanshark harassment activities. Those who deliberately vandalise properties, cause annoyance and disruption to public safety, peace 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 to work with or assist them in any way. Members of 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 illegal loansharking activities.
