The Police have arrested four teenagers, aged between 13 and 19, for their suspected involvement in a series of loanshark harassment.
On 7 May 2019, the Police were alerted to a case of loanshark harassment where the gate of a residential unit along Clementi Avenue 1 was secured with a bicycle lock and a debtor note was left outside the unit. Through investigations and with the aid of images from police cameras, officers from Clementi Police Division established the identities of two teenagers, aged 13 and 16, and arrested them within three hours.
Further investigations also led to the arrests of two other teenagers, aged 15 and 19, who are believed to be involved in several other cases of loanshark harassment islandwide.
Three of the teenagers have been charged in court on 9 and 10 May 2019, while the last teenager will be charged in court on 11 May 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. Repeat offenders found guilty of loanshark harassment shall be fined not less than $6,000 and not more than $60,000 with mandatory imprisonment of not less than 2 years and not more than 9 years, and mandatory caning of up to 12 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 arrested and 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
11 May 2019 @ 12:20 AM