The Police have arrested five men, aged between 18 and 20, for their suspected involvement in separate cases of unlicensed moneylending harassment.
In the first case, Police received a report on unlicensed moneylending harassment at an office located at New Upper Changi Road on 28 June 2017. Through extensive ground enquiries and with the aid of images from Police Cameras (POLCAMs), officers from Bedok Police Division established the identity of the three suspects and arrested them the following day. Preliminary investigation revealed that the suspects are also involved in other unlicensed moneylending harassment cases.
In the second case, officers from Ang Mo Kio Police Division arrested two men at a HDB block in Ang Mo Kio on 29 June 2017. Loanshark paraphernalia such as paint, bicycle locks and debtor notes were seized from the two suspects. Preliminary investigations revealed that they are believed to have committed similar loanshark harassment in Jelapang, Marsiling and Punggol.
Four suspects will be charged in Court on 1 July 2017 under the Moneylenders Act (Revised Edition 2010). Investigations against the remaining suspect are ongoing. Under the Moneylenders Act (Revised Edition 2010), first-time offenders found guilty of acting on behalf of an unlicensed moneylender, committing or attempting to commit any acts of harassment shall be punished with imprisonment for a term not exceeding five years, a fine of not less than $5,000 and not more than $50,000, and shall also be liable to caning of not less than three and not more than six strokes.
SINGAPORE POLICE FORCE
30 June 2017 @ 6:45 PM