Woman, 40, arrested for loanshark harassment after Tampines flat gets sprayed with red paint

A 40-year-old woman was arrested on Nov 29 for loanshark harassment after a Tampines residential unit was found sprayed with red paint, with a debtor's note left behind.

The police said they were alerted to the case along Tampines Street 91 on Nov 16, at around 11.40pm.

Through follow-up investigations and with the aid of images from police cameras, officers from Bedok Police Division established the woman's identity and arrested her.

Preliminary investigations revealed that the woman is allegedly involved in another case of loanshark harassment.

One mobile phone was seized as a case exhibit.

The woman will be charged in court on Dec 1 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, adding: "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.