Man nabbed for loanshark harassment after Geylang flat found with graffiti and debtor's note

A 38-year-old man was arrested on Monday (June 26) for his suspected involvement in a case of loanshark harassment.

The police were alerted on Sunday about a residential unit along Geylang East Avenue 1, where the padlock for its front gate had been glued with an unknown substance and the walls beside the unit were scrawled with loanshark-related graffiti. A debtor's note had also been left behind.

Through investigations and with the aid of images from police cameras, officers from Bedok Police Division established the man's identity within 24 hours and arrested him.

The man will be charged in court on Tuesday under the Moneylenders Act 2008. For first-time offenders, the offence of loanshark harassment carries a fine of 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, adding: "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."

Members of the public are advised to stay away from loansharks and not to work with or assist them in any way. You may call the X-Ah Long hotline at 1800-924-5664 if you suspect or know of anyone who could be involved in illegal loansharking activities.