4 arrested for loanshark activities

Three men and a woman have been arrested for loanshark activities in two separate cases.

In the first case, a 33-year-old female suspect was arrested in Queenstown yesterday at 4pm.

Preliminary investigations indicate that the suspect had assisted loansharks to harass debtors by locking their gates with bicycle locks and leaving debtor's notes outside the units.

Pieces of paper with loanshark-related writing were found in her possession.

In the second case, police arrested three male suspects, aged 35, 36 and 56, separately at Eunos Road, Prinsep Street and Hougang Ave 9 between 6pm and 10.50pm yesterday.

Investigations indicate that all three are believed to have committed more than 20 cases of loanshark harassment in Sembawang, Hougang, Tampines, Pasir Ris, Rivervale, Circuit Road, Dover Road, Woodlands, Toa Payoh, Bedok South, Ang Mo Kio, Teck Whye and North Bridge Road.

They splashed paint and scrawled loanshark-related graffiti on the walls of HDB blocks.

Loanshark-related paraphernalia including two cans of spray paint, surgical masks and two markers was found in the possession of the 35-year-old suspect.

All four suspects in both cases will be charged in court tomorrow for loanshark harassment.

Under the Moneylenders Act, first-time offenders found guilty of loanshark harassment shall be punished with imprisonment for a term not exceeding 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.

klim@sph.com.sg