The Police have arrested a 22-year-old man for his suspected involvement in a series of loanshark harassment.
On 20 May 2020, the Police received a report of loanshark harassment along Punggol Field where the door and wall of a residential unit were splashed with paint and a debtor’s note was left behind.
Through investigations and with the aid of images from police cameras, officers from Ang Mo Kio Police Division established the identity of the man and arrested him on 2 June 2020. Preliminary investigations revealed that the man is believed to be involved in several other cases of loanshark harassments cases islandwide. The man will also be investigated for breaching safe distancing measures under the COVID-19 (Temporary Measures) (Control Order) Regulations 2020.
The man will be charged in court on 4 June 2020 under the Moneylenders Act (Revised Edition 2010). For first time offenders, the offence of loanshark harassment carries a fine of 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 and cause annoyance or disruption 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 them 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
03 June 2020 @ 9:10 AM