The Police have arrested three men, aged between 17 and 25, for their suspected involvement in two cases of loanshark harassment.
In the first case, the Police received a report of loanshark harassment along Woodlands Avenue 5 on 29 May 2019, where the metal gate of a residential unit was secured with a chain lock and loanshark-related graffiti were scrawled on the wall. Through ground enquiries and with the aid of images from police cameras, officers from Woodlands Police Division established the identity of the two men, aged 20 and 25, and arrested them on the same day.
In the second case, on 29 May 2019, the Police received a report of loanshark harassment along Choa Chu Kang Street 52, where a 17-year-old male teenager is alleged to have attempted to lock the gate of a residential unit with a bicycle lock. Preliminary investigations revealed that the teenager is believed to be involved in other similar cases of loanshark harassment island wide.
Police investigations against the two men in the first case are ongoing, while the 17-year-old male teenager will be charged in court on 31 May 2019 under the Moneylenders Act 2010 (Revised Edition). Under the Moneylenders Act (Revised Edition 2010), 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.
The Police have zero tolerance against 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
30 May 2019 @ 8:30 PM