The Police have arrested two men, aged 44 and 47, for their suspected involvement in a three separate cases of loanshark harassment.
In the first case, on 15 February 2019, the Police were alerted to a case of loanshark harassment where the door of a residential unit along Boon Lay Drive was splashed with red paint. Through ground enquiries and with the aid of images from police cameras, officers from Jurong Police Division established the identity of the 44-year-old man and arrested him on 6 March 2019. Preliminary investigations revealed that the man is believed to be involved in similar cases reported islandwide.
Separately, the Police were alerted to two cases of loanshark harassment where the gates of the residential units along Jurong East Street 24 and Compassvale Street were secured a with bicycle lock on 1 and 4 March 2019. A debtor note was also placed on the doors of the two residential units. Through ground enquiries and with the aid of images from police cameras, officers from Clementi and Ang Mo Kio Police Divisions established the identity of the 47-year-old man and arrested him on 6 March 2019.
The two men will be charged in court on 7 March 2019 under the Moneylenders Act 2010 (Revised Edition). First time offenders found guilty of loanshark harassment shall be fined not less than $5,000 and not more than $50,000 with mandatory imprisonment of up to 5 years, and mandatory caning of up to 6 strokes. Second or subsequent time offenders found guilty of loanshark harassment shall be fined not less than $6,000 and not more than $60,000 with mandatory imprisonment of not less than 2 years and not more than 9 years and mandatory caning of up to 12 strokes.
The Police have zero tolerance for loanshark harassment activities. Those who deliberately vandalise properties, cause annoyance and disruptions to public safety, peace and security, will be dealt with severely in accordance with the law.
Members of the public are advised to stay away from loansharks and not 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 loansharking activities.
SINGAPORE POLICE FORCE
06 March 2019 @ 4:15 PM