Man arrested for loanshark harassment after setting fire to doors of AMK and West Coast flats

A 30-year-old man was arrested on Wednesday (Nov 6) for his suspected involvement in loansharking activities.

The police said that they were alerted on Tuesday (Nov 5) to two separate cases of loanshark harassment, where the doors of two residential units located along West Coast Road and Ang Mo Kio Avenue 5 were set on fire.

Through investigations, officers from the Criminal Investigation Department, Clementi Police Division and Ang Mo Kio Police Division established the suspect's identity and arrested him.

The man will be charged in court on Friday (Nov 8).

First-time offenders found guilty of loanshark harassment shall be fined between $5,000 and $50,000, with a mandatory jail term of up to five years and up to six strokes of the cane.

In the case of a second or subsequent conviction, offenders shall be liable to a fine of between $6,000 and $60,000, with mandatory imprisonment of between two to nine years, and up to 12 strokes of the cane.

In a statement, the police said they have zero tolerance against loanshark harassment activities.

They added: "Those who cause hurt, endanger lives, deliberately vandalise properties, or cause annoyance and disruptions to public peace and security will be arrested and 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.

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