Teens, 17 and 18, arrested for loanshark harassment after shoe rack toppled, note left outside Bedok flat

Two teenagers, aged 17 and 18, were arrested for their suspected involvement in a case of loanshark harassment in Bedok Central, said the police.

The police were alerted on Aug 4 to the case where a shoe rack outside the flat was toppled and a debtor’s note was left behind. As part of the investigations, the note was sent for forensic examinations.

Through follow-up investigations and with the aid of images from police cameras, officers from Bedok Police Division established the identities of the male teens and arrested them on Nov 16.

The pair were to be charged in court on Nov 20 under the Moneylenders Act 2008.

For first-time offenders, the offence of loanshark harassment carries a fine of between $5,000 and $50,000, with imprisonment of up to five years, and caning of up to six strokes.

The police advise staying away from loansharks and not to work with or assist them in any way.

You can call the police at 999 or the X-Ah Long hotline at 1800-924-5664 if you suspect or know of anyone who could be involved in loansharking activities.