I’m currently on a 2 yr contract with an MNC that is ending in late Feb, upon which I will get a 1 mth completion bonus. However, as per the T&C of my contract, I am able to tender my resignation by serving one month notice any time within the contract period.

I recently started job hunting and have received a verbal offer (pending official letter) from another company. It’s a full time position. However the company has indicated that due to some upcoming project they would not be able to wait till Mar for me to fulfil my contract at my current company before joining them. They have asked if I am able to do a 1 month notice, as per my contract T&C.

Now, my dilemma is due to the close time frame. Out of obligation I do want to finish the contract but the new company needs me to join in Feb and cannot wait. If I were to resign before my contract is up, I would also lose the completion bonus. I’m concerned I’ll be seen as burning bridges or unprofessional, as I would be leaving in the middle of an important project. Plus, it’s just the last leg of my contract. In an ideal situation I would prefer to finish the contract then join the new Co but unfortunately they cannot wait.

For context, the new job is offering slightly higher than what I’m drawing now. Leave, bonus and benefits are typical, nothing to rave about. However it is a permanent position and there seems to be room for learning and career growth.

Will you choose to forgo the offer since the time isn’t right and just go back to job hunting or break the contract at this awkward juncture and risk burning bridge.

A 49-year-old man will be charged in court on 22 January 2024 for his suspected involvement in unlicensed moneylending and money laundering activities.

Sometime between September and October 2020, the Police received at least 12 reports alleging one business entity “Xpress Leasing” to be issuing loans illegally under the pretext of buying and leasing preowned mobile phones and sending debt collectors to confront debtors who were falling behind in their loan repayments. Police investigations revealed that between June and October 2020, the man, who was the sole proprietor of “Xpress Leasing”, had allegedly carried on a moneylending business in Singapore without licence by issuing illegal loans at the premises of his company.

During the course of investigations, five bank accounts connected to the man’s criminal activities were frozen and more than $700,000 were seized.

The man, who was previously convicted for unlicensed moneylending offences, will be charged in court with one count of carrying on a moneylending business without licence, contravening Section 5(1) of the Moneylenders Act Chapter 188 (Revised Edition, 2010) and be liable for enhanced punishment under the same Act, and three counts of acquiring property which represents the benefits from criminal conduct under the Corruption, Drug Trafficking and Other Serious Crimes (Confiscation of Benefits) Act, Chapter 65A.

Under the Moneylenders’ Act Chapter 188 (Revised Edition, 2010), first-time offenders found to have contravened Section 5(1) shall be punished with imprisonment term of up to four years, a fine of not less than $30,000 and not more than $300,000, and caning of not more than six strokes. Second time offenders shall be punished with imprisonment term of up to seven years, a fine of not less than $30,000 and not more than $300,000, and caning of not more than 12 strokes.

Under the Corruption, Drug Trafficking and Other Serious Crimes (Confiscation of Benefits) Act, anyone found guilty of acquiring properties which represent the person’s benefits from criminal conduct shall be punished with imprisonment term of up to 10 years and a fine of up to $500,000.

The Police will continue to take tough enforcement actions against those involved in unlicensed moneylending and money laundering activities, and ensure that perpetrators are dealt with sternly in accordance with the law.

Members of the public are advised to stay away from unlicensed moneylenders and not work with or assist unlicensed moneylenders 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 unlicensed moneylending activities.

Officers from the Commercial Affairs Department and the seven Police Land Divisions conducted a two-week operation between 1 January 2024 and 18 January 2024. A total of 276 men and 121 women, aged between 15 and 79, are assisting in investigations for their suspected involvement in scams as scammers or money mules. The suspects are believed to be involved in more than 1,300 cases of scams, comprising mainly e-commerce scams, investment scams, job scams, phishing scams, internet love scams and Government official impersonation scams, where victims reportedly lost over $9.5 million.

The suspects are being investigated for the alleged offences of cheating, money laundering or providing payment services without a licence. The offence of cheating under Section 420 of the Penal Code 1871 carries an imprisonment term of up to 10 years and a fine. The offence of money laundering under the Corruption, Drug Trafficking and Other Serious Crimes (Confiscation of Benefits) Act 1992 carries an imprisonment term of up to 10 years, a fine of up to $500,000, or both. The offence of carrying on a business to provide any type of payment service in Singapore without a licence under Section 5 of the Payment Services Act 2019 carries a fine of up to $125,000, an imprisonment term of up to three years, or both. 

The Police take a serious stance against any person who may be involved in scams, and perpetrators will be dealt with in accordance with the law. To avoid being an accomplice to crimes, members of the public should always reject requests by others to use your bank account or mobile lines as you will be held accountable if these are linked to crimes.

For more information on scams, members of the public can visit www.scamalert.sg or call the Anti-Scam Hotline at 1800-722-6688. Anyone with information on such scams may call the Police Hotline at 1800-255-0000 or submit information online at www.police.gov.sg/iwitness. All information will be kept strictly confidential.

In a crackdown on loanshark harassment, the Singapore Police have arrested two men, aged 37 and 58, suspected to be involved in separate cases of loanshark-related activities. The arrests came after two incidents were reported on January 17, 2024, involving debtors’ writings in red ink on residential properties in Sengkang West Way and Buangkok Crescent.

Arrest Details

Following swift investigations and utilizing images captured by Police cameras, officers from the Ang Mo Kio Police Division successfully identified the two suspects. The arrests were carried out on January 19, 2024. The suspects, aged 37 and 58, are now in police custody.

During the arrests, law enforcement confiscated items believed to be related to the crimes, including one red marker and one black marker. Preliminary investigations suggest that both individuals might be linked to additional cases of loanshark harassment.

The two men are scheduled to be charged in court on January 20, 2024, under the Moneylenders Act 2008. If convicted, as first-time offenders, they could face fines ranging from $5000 to $50,000, imprisonment of up to five years, and caning of up to six strokes.

S’pore Police’s Statement

TWO MEN ARRESTED IN TWO SEPARATE CASES OF LOANSHARK HARASSMENT

The Police have arrested two men, aged 37 and 58 years old, for their suspected involvements in two separate cases of loanshark harassment.

On 17 January 2024, the Police were alerted to two separate cases of loanshark harassment. In the first case, debtors’ writings in red ink were written on the wall outside a residential unit along Sengkang West Way. In the second case, a debtor’s note was left outside a residential unit along Buangkok Crescent.

Through follow-up investigations and with the aid of images from Police cameras, officers from Ang Mo Kio Police Division established the identities of the two men and arrested them on 19 January 2024. Related paraphernalia, including one red marker and one black marker, were seized as case exhibits. Preliminary investigations revealed that both men are believed to be involved in other similar cases of loanshark harassment.

The two men will be charged in court on 20 January 2024 under the Moneylenders Act 2008. For first time offenders, the offence of loanshark harassment carries a fine between $5000 and $50,000, with 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 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 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.

Photo of seized case exhibits ▼

PUBLIC AFFAIRS DEPARTMENT
SINGAPORE POLICE FORCE
20 January 2024 @ 8:05 AM