The Police have arrested four men and a woman aged between 18 and 34, for suspected involvement in loansharking activities.
For the first case, on 22 February 2016, Police received a report on loanshark harassment whereby a unit was splashed with paint and had loanshark graffiti scrawled on the wall of a residential HDB unit at Choa Chu Kang. Through extensive ground enquiries and images captured on the Police Cameras (POLCAMs), officers from Jurong Division arrested three men and a woman aged between 18 and 27 on the same day. Preliminary investigations revealed that the 4 four suspects are believed to have carried out similar act of harassment in the Woodlands housing estates. Police seized one mobile phone, 2 two maker pens, two cans of paint and a face mask in connection to the case.
In a separate case, on 22 February 2016, Police received a report on loanshark harassment whereby a unit was locked with bicycle lock, splashed with paint and had loanshark graffiti scrawled on the wall of a residential HDB unit at Jurong West. Through extensive ground enquiries and images captured on the Police Cameras (POLCAMs), officers from Jurong Division arrested the 34-year-old male suspect along Geylang Road on the same day. Preliminary investigations revealed that the suspect is believed to have carried out similar act of harassment as well as splashing of paint and affixing of notes on vehicles at Bedok, Tampines, Serangoon, Yishun, Sengkang and Ang Mo Kio housing estates. Police seized one mobile phone, cash amounting to $200/-, one black bag and a green cap in connection to the case.
The five suspects will be charged in Court on 24 Feb 2016 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. Those who deliberately vandalise properties will be arrested swiftly and dealt with severely in accordance with the law. Upon conviction, these perpetrators can expect to be caned and jailed for damaging property and causing alarm to the general community. No effort will be spared to nab them to face the full consequences of their misdeeds regardless of their age.
SINGAPORE POLICE FORCE
23 February 2016 @ 8:15 PM