3 men arrested for involvement in loansharking activities

3 men arrested for involvement in loansharking activities

SINGAPORE - Three men, aged between 37 and 64 years old, have been arrested by the police for their suspected involvement in loansharking activities.

In the first case, Crime Strike Force Officers from Bukit Batok Neighbourhood Police Centre (NPC) nabbed a man, 37, in the vicinity of Bukit Batok Central on Dec 22.

Preliminary investigations showed that the suspect may have assisted loanshark syndicates to procure automated teller machine (ATM) cards with personal identification numbers (PINs) from a debtor.

The police also believed that he used his own ATM cards to perform transactions in relation to unlicensed money-lending businesses.

Four ATM cards, one handphone and cash amounting to $190 were seized from the suspect's possession.

A 64-year-old man was arrested on Dec 22 in a second loansharking case.

Crime Strike Force Officers from Woodlands East NPC caught him in the vicinity of Bukit Batok East Ave 4.

The suspect is believed to be a debtor-turned-runner who assisted loanshark syndicates to procure ATM cards with PINs from other debtors.

Upon his arrest, an ATM card and a handphone were seized as case exhibits.

In the last case, a 57-year-old man was arrested by Crime Strike Force Officers from Jurong West NPC after follow-up investigations.

Preliminary investigations showed that the suspect is a debtor-turned-assistor.

He is believed to have opened bank accounts and given away his ATM cards and PIN to loansharks to facilitate their businesses.

The first suspect will be charged in court on Dec 24. The other two men's cases are still under investigation.

If convicted, the men face a fine up to $30,000, a jail term up to four years and shall also be liable up to six strokes of caning.

wjeanne@sph.com.sg

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