The Police have arrested a 20-year-old man for his suspected involvement in six cases of loanshark harassment at various locations in Singapore, of which three cases involved loanshark harassment by fire.
On 10 August 2018, Police were alerted to three separate cases of loanshark harassment by fire, where the doors of the residential units were set on fire. Through investigation, Police identified and located the suspect, and arrested him within 24 hours. Preliminary investigations revealed that the suspect was also believed to be involved in at least three other cases of loanshark harassment by splashing paint.
The suspect will be charged in court on 11 August 2018 for unlicensed moneylending harassment by setting fire. Under the Moneylenders Act (Revised Edition 2010), 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.
The Police have adopted a zero tolerance approach against loanshark harassment, especially acts of harassment that caused damage and endanger lives of innocent victims. Offenders will be swiftly tracked down and arrested, and will also 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 illegal loansharking activities.
SINGAPORE POLICE FORCE
11 August 2018 @ 2:20 AM