The police have apprehended two individuals, aged 19 and 27, in connection with two separate incidents of loanshark harassment. The arrests were made following reports received on October 29 and November 4, 2024, regarding harassment activities at residential units located along Anchorvale Road and Punggol Place.
In both cases, the police were alerted to vandalism, where the door of one unit was splashed with paint, and debtor’s notes were left behind as a form of intimidation. These actions are characteristic of loanshark harassment, which aims to pressure individuals into repaying debts.
Following thorough investigations, which included reviewing footage from police cameras and closed-circuit televisions (CCTVs), officers from the Ang Mo Kio Police Division successfully identified the suspects. The two men were arrested on November 8, 2024, and three debtor’s notes were confiscated as evidence in the ongoing investigation.
The suspects are set to face charges in court on November 9, 2024, under the Moneylenders Act of 2008. For first-time offenders, the penalties for loanshark harassment can be severe, including fines ranging from $5,000 to $50,000, imprisonment for up to five years, and caning of up to six strokes.
The police have reiterated their zero-tolerance stance towards loanshark harassment and related activities. They emphasize that individuals who engage in vandalism, create disturbances, or threaten public safety will face stringent legal consequences.
Authorities are urging the public to steer clear of loansharks and to refrain from any involvement with such illegal activities. If anyone suspects or is aware of loansharking activities, they are encouraged to report it to the police by calling ‘999’.
This incident serves as a reminder of the ongoing efforts by law enforcement to combat loanshark activities and protect the community from such criminal behavior.