The Police have arrested two men aged 39 and 61 for their suspected involvement in two cases of loanshark harassment.
In the first case, the Police received a report of loanshark harassment at a residential unit along Geylang East Central on 30 April 2019. The suspect is alleged to have hung a packet of coffee at the gate of the residential unit and also pasted a debtor’s note on the wall. Through ground enquiries and with the aid of images from police cameras, officers from Bedok Police Division established the identity of the man and arrested him along Jalan Hajijah on 14 May 2019. One handphone, three sticky notepads and one red pen were seized as case exhibits. Preliminary investigations revealed that the man is believed to be involved in other similar cases of loanshark harassment island wide.
On 11 May 2019, the Police received a separate report of loanshark harassment along Lorong 7 Toa Payoh, where the gate of a residential unit was locked with a bicycle lock. A debtor’s note was also found pasted on the wall outside the unit. With the aid of images from police cameras, officers from Tanglin Police Division established the identity of the man and arrested him on 15 May 2019. Preliminary investigations revealed that the man is also believed to be involved in several other cases of loanshark harassment island wide.
The men will be charged in court on 16 May and 17 May 2019 respectively 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 against loanshark harassment activities. Those who deliberately vandalise properties, 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 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
15 May 2019 @ 6:48 PM