The Police have observed that unlicensed moneylenders (UML) are adopting a harassment tactic, to make use of unsuspecting persons on social networking sites to harass their debtors.
In the cases, the UML would pose as females on matchmaking, dating or social networking sites such as OkCupid and Locanto to look for male partners., The unsuspecting male subjects were subsequently directed to meet at addresses belonging to debtors while under the impression that they were meeting up with the female date. Thereafter, they would be instructed to take photos, videos or knock on the door of the house to affirm that they were at the given residential address. The debtors were later alerted by the UML that the male subjects were their runners and were at their houses to harass them.
The Police would like to urge users of social networking sites to adopt the following measures to prevent falling victim to such harassment tactic:
-
Be wary when befriending unknown persons in matchmaking, dating or social networking websites; and
-
If in doubt on the other party’s intentions to have a meet up, do not accede to their requests
-
Arrange for meet ups at a public area.
Members of the public are also encouraged to share this advisory with family and friends. 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.
SINGAPORE POLICE FORCE
20 December 2017 @ 1:10 PM