The Police have arrested a 30-year-old man, and two teenagers, aged 18 and 16, for their suspected involvement in two separate cases of loanshark harassment.
In the first case, on 25 January 2021 at about 6.05am, the Police were alerted to a case of loanshark harassment where the gate of a residential unit along Jalan Tenteram was locked with a bicycle lock and loanshark-related graffiti were found scrawled on the wall beside the unit. Through ground enquiries and with the aid of images from police cameras, officers from Tanglin Police Division established the identity of the man and arrested him on 27 January 2021. The man is allegedly involved in at least eight other similar cases of loanshark harassment island-wide.
In the second case, on 25 January 2021 at 8.15pm, the Police were alerted to a case of loanshark harassment where the resident of a unit along Choa Chu Kang Crescent received an image showing that her gate was locked with a bicycle lock. The same image also showed a debtor’s note left at her gate. However, when the resident’s family member returned home to check, the lock and the note is no longer at the gate. Through ground enquiries and with the aid of images from police cameras, officers from Jurong Police Division established the identities of the teenagers and arrested them on 27 and 28 January 2021. The teenagers are allegedly involved in other similar cases of loanshark harassment island-wide.
The man and the teenagers will be charged in court on 29 January 2021. Under the Moneylenders Act (Revised Edition 2010), the offence of loanshark harassment for first-time offenders carries a fine between $5,000 and $50,000, a mandatory imprisonment of up to five years, and mandatory caning of up to six strokes.
The Police have zero tolerance for loanshark harassment activities. Those who deliberately vandalise properties, and 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 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 loansharking activities.
SINGAPORE POLICE FORCE
28 January 2021 @ 8:25 PM