25-year-old man arrested for loanshark harassment in Tampines within 8 hours

A 25-year-old man was arrested for suspected loanshark harassment within eight hours of police being alerted to the case.

The police said they were informed about the case involving a residential unit along Tampines Street 43 on March 5, at about 5.20pm.

The unit's front gate had been splashed with red paint and the wall of the lift lobby had been scribbled with loanshark-related graffiti.

Through follow-up investigations and with the aid of images from police cameras, officers from Bedok Police Division established the man's identity and arrested him.

One mobile phone, one can of red spray paint, one beige colour T-shirt, one black track pants, one orange colour batik pants, one black bag and one black slipper were seized as case exhibits.

The man was charged in court on March 7 under the Moneylenders Act 2008.

First-time offenders found guilty of loanshark harassment face a fine between $5,000 and $50,000, with up to five years in jail and up to six strokes of the cane.

The police said they have zero tolerance against loanshark harassment activities. They added: "Those who deliberately vandalise properties, cause annoyance or disrupt public safety, peace and security will be dealt with severely in accordance with the law."

Members of the public are advised to stay away from loansharks and not to work with or assist them in any way.

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