Man arrested for loanshark harassment after over 30 people received letters revealing debtors' info

A 37-year-old man was arrested on Jan 10 for his suspected involvement in a case of loanshark harassment, said police.

Since March last year, the police have been alerted to a series of loanshark harassment island-wide, where more than 30 residents received letters that revealed the debtors’ particulars.

Through follow-up investigations, officers from the Criminal Investigation Department established the identity of the man and arrested him.

A mobile phone, a printer, a laptop, as well as multiple pieces of envelopes and stamps, were seized as case exhibits.

In a separate case, the police were alerted to a case of loanshark harassment along Bedok North Street 3, where the gate of a residential unit was secured with a bicycle lock.

Through follow-up investigations and with the aid of images from police cameras, officers from Bedok Police Division established the identity of the 35-year-old man and arrested him on Jan 11.

Preliminary investigations revealed that the man is allegedly involved in two other cases of loanshark harassment.

A bicycle lock, bag and mobile phone were seized as case exhibits.

Police investigations are ongoing.

For first-time offenders, the offence of loanshark harassment under the Moneylenders Act 2008 carries a fine of between $5,000 and $50,000, with imprisonment of up to five years, and caning of up to six strokes.