Man arrested for loanshark harassment after allegedly securing Punggol flat with bicycle lock

A 50-year-old man was arrested for loanshark harassment within four hours of the police being alerted.

The police said they were informed about the case of loanshark harassment at a residential unit along Punggol Way on March 17, at about 10.50pm.

The gate of the unit had been secured with a bicycle lock.

Through follow-up investigations and with the aid of images from police cameras, officers from Ang Mo Kio Police Division established the man's identity and arrested him within four hours.

The man will be charged in court on March 19 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, adding: "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.