2 men, aged 27 and 29, arrested for series of loanshark harassment cases
Two men, aged 27 and 29, were arrested for their suspected involvement in a series of loanshark harassment cases.
The police said they were alerted at 9.25pm on July 23 to a series of loanshark harassment cases island-wide, in which the main gates and doors of several residential units were splashed with red or blue paint. Debtor's notes were also left behind.
Through follow-up investigations and with the aid of images from police cameras, officers from Bedok Police Division and Police Operations Command Centre established the identities of the duo and arrested them within ten hours of the report.
Preliminary investigations revealed that the two men are believed to be involved in at least eight similar cases of loanshark harassment.
The duo will be charged in court on July 25 under the Moneylenders Act 2008.
For first-time offenders, the offence of loanshark harassment carries a fine between $5,000 and $50,000, with up to five years in jail and up to six strokes of the cane.
The police said they have zero tolerance for loanshark harassment activities. Those who deliberately vandalise properties or cause annoyance and disruption to public safety 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. Call the police at '999' if they suspect or know of anyone who could be involved in loansharking activities.
