Man arrested loanshark harassment after AMK unit is found with splashed paint, debtor writings

A 26-year-old man was arrested on Feb 21 for suspected loanshark harassment that occurred at a residential unit along Ang Mo Kio Avenue 4.

The police said they were alerted to the case on Feb 20, where red paint was splashed at the unit and debtor writings were written on the wall.

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.

"Preliminary investigations revealed that the man is believed to be involved in other similar cases of loanshark harassment," police added.

The man was charged in court on Feb 22 with offences 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.