A former Singapore secondary school literature teacher has been sentenced to one year and six months’ jail after acting on behalf of unlicensed moneylenders to harass debtors while trying to reduce her own mounting debts linked to failed cryptocurrency investments.
Geraldine Quek Yi Ling, 42, pleaded guilty to seven charges related to assisting unlicensed moneylenders. Another 12 charges were taken into consideration during sentencing on May 8.
Court documents revealed that Quek became entangled with multiple loan sharks after suffering heavy losses from cryptocurrency investments she began making in 2023. As her debts spiralled out of control, she allegedly faced intense harassment and threats from moneylenders demanding repayment.
Quek was previously listed as the Head of Department for English Language and Literature at St. Patrick’s School before leaving the Ministry of Education.
Crypto Investment Losses Led To Loan Shark Debts
According to court proceedings, Quek borrowed money from at least four unlicensed moneylenders after her cryptocurrency investments collapsed during the market downturn.
In December 2024, she was introduced to another loan shark known only as “Travis Heng” and borrowed S$600 from him. Although she made weekly repayments ranging from S$100 to S$200, the debt reportedly continued increasing because of high illegal interest charges.
When she failed to repay the full amount, the harassment escalated.
Court documents stated that before Oct. 8, 2025, Heng allegedly forced Quek to send him nude photographs of herself under threats of continued harassment. He later demanded that she record a nude video and allegedly threatened to leak the explicit content if she refused.
The case has sparked discussion online about the dangers of illegal moneylending activities and the growing risks tied to speculative cryptocurrency investments and unsecured debt.
Sent Raw Pork Hooves And Debtor Notes To Victims
Later in October 2025, Heng allegedly offered Quek an opportunity to reduce her debt by assisting with harassment operations targeting other borrowers.
Under the arrangement, she would receive a S$10 reduction in her debt for every debtor’s unit she photographed.
Quek agreed and began carrying out various harassment acts across Singapore. These included placing debtor notes outside flats, helping to leave raw pork hooves at victims’ homes, and mailing hell notes together with photographs of borrowers holding their NRIC cards.
The harassment campaign continued through October and November 2025 before Quek was eventually arrested on Nov. 25, 2025.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Xavier Tan told the court that although Quek faced “unfortunate circumstances”, it did not excuse her actions.
Her defence lawyer argued that she had been heavily coerced and submitted WhatsApp conversations with the loan shark to demonstrate the pressure and intimidation she allegedly faced.
MOE Confirms She Is No Longer Employed
The Ministry of Education later confirmed that Quek has not been employed by the ministry since March 2026.
MOE added that it takes a serious view of staff misconduct and would not hesitate to take disciplinary action against employees who breach professional standards and codes of conduct.
The case highlights the serious consequences of engaging with illegal moneylenders in Singapore, particularly as loan shark syndicates increasingly use psychological intimidation, online threats and humiliation tactics to control borrowers.
Authorities continue urging members of the public facing financial difficulties to seek assistance through legal financial counselling services and licensed lending institutions instead of turning to unlicensed lenders.