Man charged with loanshark harassment after Punggol unit found with splashed paint, debtor's note

A 53-year-old man was charged in court on March 12 with loanshark harassment after a residential unit along Punggol Drive was splashed with yellow paint.

A debtor's note had also been left behind.

The police said they were alerted to the case on March 10, at about 10.50pm.

Through ground enquiries and with the aid of images from police cameras, officers from Ang Mo Kio Police Division established the man's identity and arrested him March 11.

Preliminary investigations revealed that the man is believed to be involved in other similar cases of loanshark harassment islandwide.

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.