The Police have arrested three male teenagers, two aged 16 and one aged 17, for their suspected involvement in a case of loanshark harassment.
On 4 March 2021, the Police were alerted to a case of loanshark harassment where the door and gate of two residential units along Bedok North Street 3 were splashed with paint. A debtor’s note was also left on the floor in front of each unit.
Through investigations and with the aid of images from CCTV and Police cameras, officers from Bedok Police Division established the identity of the teenagers and arrested them on 5 March 2021. One of the 16-year-old teenagers is believed to be involved in other cases of loanshark harassment. One mobile phone was seized as a case exhibit.
The above-mentioned 16-year-old teenager will be charged in court on 6 March 2021 under the Moneylenders Act (Revised Edition 2010). For first time offenders, the offence of loanshark harassment carries a fine of between $5,000 to $50,000, with mandatory imprisonment of up to five years and up to six strokes of the cane.
Police investigations against the two other teenagers are ongoing.
Members of the public are advised to stay away from loansharks and to not work with or assist the loansharks in any way. Members of 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
05 March 2021 @ 9:00 PM