Five arrested for loanshark-related activities

Five men, aged between 17 and 47 have been arrested for suspected involvement in loansharking harassment in three separate cases.

In the first case, on May 30, 2012, officers spotted three male suspects, aged between 18 and 21 behaving suspiciously at Serangoon Ave 2.

Loanshark-related items including mobile phones containing suspected debtors' records, a marker and a bottle of chilli sauce were found in the suspects' possession.

The suspects are believed to have committed several cases of loanshark harassment by scrawling loanshark-related graffiti, splashing chilli sauce and smashing glass bottles at residential units in the housing estate.

In the second case, on May 31, 2012, officers patrolling the vicinity of Hougang Ave 1 spotted a 47-year-old suspect behaving suspiciously.

The suspect had in his possession a mobile phone and pieces of papers containing suspected debtors' records.

Investigations showed that he is a debtor-turned-runner who assisted loansharks by demanding for repayments from borrowers at their residences.

In the third case, the police were informed of a case of harassment by loansharks which involved vandalism at debtors' residences.

On May 31, 2012 at about 2 am, the police managed to locate the 17-year-old suspect at Bedok Interchange.

The teen is believed to be involved in several other cases of loanshark harassment in the Pasir Ris, Tampines, Ang Mo Kio and Yishun estates where he had splashed paint and scrawled loanshark-related graffiti on the walls of debtors' units.

First-time offenders found guilty of assisting in the carrying on of the business of an unlicensed moneylender may be fined between $30,000 and $300,000, jailed up to four years and caned up to six strokes.

First-time offenders found guilty of acting on behalf of an unlicensed moneylender, committing or attempting to commit any acts of harassment may be jailed for up to five years, fined between $5,000 and $50,000, and caned up to six strokes.