3 young men arrested for suspected loanshark-related activities

Police have arrested three men, aged between 18 and 22 years, for their suspected involvement in loanshark harassment.

In connection with the case of loanshark harassment that occurred at McNair Road on Nov 7, officers from Rochor Neighbourhood Police Centre (NPC) worked relentlessly and arrested another three men in the vicinity of Yishun North and Jurong West on Nov 12.

Preliminary investigations indicated that the five suspects might have committed at least 20 counts of loanshark harassment by splashing paint at debtors' units and scrawling loanshark-related graffiti at various locations.

In the second case, on Nov 13 at about 12.39am, acting on information received, Crime Strike Force officers from the Woodlands East and Bukit Batok NPC arrested a 22-year-old man in the vicinity of Boon Lay Way for his suspected involvement in loanshark harassment.

Preliminary investigations revealed that he is believed to be a debtor, who was recruited by loanshark syndicates to carry out harassment by locking the main-gate of debtors' residences with bicycle lock and scribbling loanshark related graffiti on the wall.

When arrested, two bicycle locks, one marker pen and one handphone were seized in connection to the case.

Ffirst-time offender found guilty of loanshark harassment shall be punished with imprisonment for a term of up to five years, a fine of not less than $5,000 and not more than $50,000, and shall also be liable to caning of not less than three and not more than six strokes.

spanaech@sph.com.sg