In a 12-hour operation which ended on 18 January 2017, the Police arrested seven men and two women aged between 28 and 64, for their suspected involvement in loansharking and illegal betting activities.
Following extensive ground enquiries, officers from the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) and the Police Intelligence Department (PID) conducted simultaneous raids at multiple locations island-wide, resulting in the arrests. During the operation, items such as cash and cheques amounting to about $111,000/-, mobile phones and laptops were seized as case exhibits. Preliminary investigations revealed that the suspects are believed to be members with various roles in the loansharking syndicate, including ‘Ah Longs’ who had issued loans illegally. The suspects are also believed to be involved in illegal betting activities.
Two men aged 46 and 52, will be charged in Court on 19 January 2017 for offences under the Moneylenders Act (Revised Edition 2010). Investigations against the remaining suspects are ongoing.
Head of the Unlicensed Moneylending Strikeforce of CID, Superintendent of Police Loh Kah Wai said, “While the Police will persevere with our enforcement efforts against the loansharking menace, members of the public are advised to stay away from loansharks and not to work with or assist 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 illegal loansharking activities.”
SINGAPORE POLICE FORCE
18 January 2017 @ 6:00 PM