4 men arrested for loansharking activities in 3 separate cases

SINGAPORE - Police have arrested four men, aged 22 to 32 years, for suspected involvement in loanshark-related activities in three separate cases.

In the first case, on Nov 22, 2013 at about 12.30am, through follow up investigations, officers from Clementi Police Division arrested two men, aged 22 and 23 years, for loanshark harassment.

The men are believed to have committed loanshark harassment by padlocking gates, splashing paint and scribbling loanshark-related graffiti on walls. Loanshark-related paraphernalia including bicycle locks, a marker pen, two bottles of ink, and a pair of gloves were found in their possession.

Preliminary investigations indicate that both men are believed to have committed acts of loanshark harassment at Jurong East, Teban Gardens, Redhill Road, Toh Yi Drive, Tanglin Halt, Jurong West, Simei, Tampines, Hougang and Woodlands.

In the second case, on Nov 21, 2013 at about 12.45pm, through follow-up investigations, officers from Ang Mo Kio Police Division arrested a 32-year-old man at Lorong 8 Toa Payoh for suspected involvement in loansharking activities.

Preliminary investigations indicate that he had assisted loansharks by checking for signs of harassment on the units of debtors who had defaulted repayments in Ang Mo Kio and Jurong Housing Estates.

In the third case, on Nov 21, 2013 at about 2.10pm, through follow-up investigations, officers from Ang Mo Kio Police Division arrested a 23-year-old man in the vicinity of Hougang Avenue 9 for suspected involvement in loansharking activities.

Preliminary investigations indicate that he had given away his ATM card and Personal Identification Number (PIN) to loansharks to facilitate their business.

Investigations against the men in the second case and third case are ongoing.

First time offenders found guilty of loanshark harassment may be fined not less than $5,000 and not more than $50,000 with mandatory imprisonment of up to 5 years and mandatory caning of up to 6 strokes.

First-time offenders found guilty of assisting in the carrying on of the business of an unlicensed moneylender may be fined not less than $30,000 and not more than $300,000, be imprisoned for a term not exceeding 4 years and shall also be liable for caning with not more than 6 strokes.

spanaech@sph.com.sg