The Police have arrested a 33-year-old man and a 47-year-old woman for their suspected involvement in two separate cases of loanshark harassment.
For the first case, on 7 December 2020, the Police received a report that the door of a residential unit along Pasir Ris Drive 4 was splashed with paint and the gate was secured with a bicycle lock. A debtor’s note was also affixed at the gate of the unit. Through investigations and with the aid of images from police cameras, officers from Bedok Police Division established the identity of the man and arrested him on the same day. Preliminary investigations revealed that he is believed to be involved in several other cases of loanshark harassment islandwide. Two mobile phones, four cans of red paint, four bicycle locks and one black marker were seized as case exhibits. The man will be charged in court on 9 December 2020.
For the second case, on the same day, the Police received a call for assistance at a unit along Bedok Reservoir Road where a woman had allegedly taken photos of the victim’s residential unit and left a debtor’s note at the gate. The woman was arrested at scene by officers from Bedok Police Division for loanshark harassment. One mobile phone was seized as a case exhibit. Police investigations are ongoing.
Under the Moneylenders Act (Revised Edition 2010), the offence of loanshark harassment for first-time offenders carries a fine of not less than $5,000 and not more than $50,000 and mandatory imprisonment of up to five years, and mandatory caning of up to six strokes.
The Police have zero tolerance against loanshark harassment. Those who deliberately vandalise properties or cause annoyance and disruption 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 to 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
08 December 2020 @ 9:35 PM