Man left debtor's note, attempted to lock Woodlands resident's gate with bicycle lock

A 42-year-old man has been arrested for his suspected involvement in a series of loanshark harassment cases.

The police said in a statement they were alerted to a case of loanshark harassment along Woodlands Ring Road on July 18.

A debtor's note was left at the gate of a residential unit with attempts made to lock the gate with a bicycle lock.

Officers detained a 42-year-old man at the scene.

Five bicycle chains with padlocks, one permanent market, one memo pad, one roll of sticky tape one debtor's note, and plastic bags used to contain the said items were seized as case exhibits.

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

The man will be charged on Thursday (July 20) under the Moneylenders Act.

The offence of loanshark harassment for first-time offenders carries a fine of between $5,000 and $50,000, with mandatory jail of up to five years and mandatory caning of up to six strokes.

The police said they have zero tolerance against loanshark harassment activities.

"Those who deliberately vandalise properties, cause annoyance and disruption to public safety, peace and security, will be dealt with severely in accordance with the law," they said.

Members of the public are advised to say 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.