3 men arrested for suspected loanshark harassment at Hougang and Bishan

In two separate cases, three men aged 17, 31, and 60 have been arrested for their suspected involvement in loansharking activities.

The first case occurred on Nov 22, when the police received two reports of loanshark harassment in residential units at Hougang Avenue 10 and Hougang Street 51.

In a statement, the police reported that both units were found splashed with paint and vandalised by loanshark-related graffiti.

After extensive ground enquiries and investigations, a 17-year-old man allegedly involved in the incident was arrested along Bedok North Avenue 2 on Dec 7 by officers from Ang Mo Kio Police Division.

On the same day, a 31-year-old man was arrested along Lorong 6 Toa Payoh. The two men are believed to have assisted unlicensed moneylenders in committing loanshark harassment islandwide.

The second case occurred on 2 December 2017, where the Police were notified that a debtor’s note had been found at a residential unit at Bishan Street 23.

Through extensive ground enquiries, officers from Tanglin Police Division established the identity of the 60-year-old man. He was subsequently arrested at Bishan Street 23 on Dec 8.

All three suspects were charged in Court on Dec 9 for loanshark harassment.

Under the Moneylenders Act (Revised Edition 2010), first-time offenders found guilty of loanshark harassment shall 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.