The Police have arrested two men, aged 18 and 31, for their suspected involvement in two separate cases of loanshark harassment.
For the first case, on 3 December 2020 at about 12.50am, the Police were alerted to a case of loanshark harassment at a residential unit along Compassvale Street, where loansharks graffities were scrawled on the walls of the corridor at the lift lobby. Through ground enquiries 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 21 December 2020.
For the second case, on 18 December 2020 at about 9pm, the Police were alerted to a case of loanshark harassment at a residential unit along Buangkok Crescent where the gate and door of the unit was splashed with paint and loanshark graffitied were scrawled on the wall. Through ground enquiries 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 21 December 2020. Preliminary investigations revealed that the man is believed to be involved in other similar cases of loanshark harassment island-wide.
Both men will be charged in court on 23 December 2020. Under the Moneylenders Act, the offence of loanshark harassment for first time offenders carries a fine between $5,000 and $50,000, a mandatory imprisonment of up to five years and mandatory caning of up to six strokes.
The Police have zero tolerance for loanshark harassment activities. Those who deliberately vandalise properties and 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 to 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
22 December 2020 @ 11:35 PM