Man arrested for loanshark harassment, stealing money from mosque's donation boxes

A 37-year-old man has been arrested for two separate cases of loanshark harassment and theft.

The police said in a statement that they were alerted to a case of loanshark harassment at a residential unit along Ang Mo Kio Avenue 8 on Jan 15.

The unit was sprayed with red paint and a debtor's note was left behind.

Officers established the identity of the man and arrested him on Jan 17.

Preliminary investigations revealed that the man is also believed to have been involved in other similar cases of loanshark harassment, and a case of stealing cash from donation boxes inside a mosque located along Tampines Road. The theft was reported on Jan 16.

The man will be charged in court on Jan 19 with offences under the Moneylenders Act and Theft in Dwelling.

For first-time offenders, loanshark harassment carries a fine of between $5,000 and $50,000, up to five years' jail, and up to six strokes of the cane.

The offence of theft-in-dwelling carries a jail term of up to seven years and a fine.

The police said they have zero tolerance for loanshark harassment activities: "Those who deliberately vandalise properties, cause annoyance and disruption fo public safety 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 the loansharks in any way.

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.