The Police have arrested two men, aged 17 and 32, for their suspected involvement in two separate cases of loanshark harassment.
In the first case on 10 March 2019, the Police were alerted to a case of loanshark harassment where the gate of a residential unit at Marsiling Lane was locked with a bicycle chain and debtor’s notes were left on the floor outside the unit. Through extensive ground enquiries and with the aid of images from police cameras, officers from Woodlands and Tanglin Police Division established the identity of the 17-year-old man and arrested him on 13 March 2019.
In the second case on 13 March 2019, the Police received a report of a suspicious man loitering outside a residential unit along Woodlands Drive 16. Officers from Woodlands Police Division responded to the case and detained the 32-year-old man. Investigations revealed that the man had been directed by a loanshark to commit harassment by knocking and taking photographs of the unit.
Preliminary investigations revealed that both men are believed to be involved in similar cases of loanshark harassment islandwide.
Both men will be charged in court on 15 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.
The Police have zero tolerance for loanshark harassment activities. Those who deliberately vandalise properties, cause annoyance and disruptions to public safety 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. They 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
14 March 2019 @ 6:00 PM