SINGAPORE - In their search for a quick buck, more youth are turning to illegal money activities.

This was reflected by the huge jump in the number of teenagers arrested for offences related to unlicensed money lending last year.

Figures released by the police yesterday showed that 154 youth were caught - more than twice the 63 caught in 2008.

The police said that many of these offenders were referred by friends to work for loan sharks.

And with the presence of the integrated resorts (IRs), youth involved in illegal money activities are a prime concern.

"The opening of the new casinos also opens a whole new can of worms," said Dr Carol Balhetchet, director of youth services at Singapore Children's Society.

"We live in a materialistic world where money is emphasised, and it does not help that being runners are underground activities that will not be easily detected," she said.

Getting involved with loan sharks is a "whole new ball game" for youth who can easily be taken "control of", she added.

Counsellors are urging teachers and parents to guide youth to stay away from such activities, while the police advise parents to pay closer attention to their children's activities.

Amendments made to the Moneylenders Bill last month makes it an offence for those who cause or instigate youth under 16 years to engage in acts of harassment.

However, as these laws target those who lure youth into syndicates, Member of Parliament (MP) Lee Bee Wah (Ang Mo Kio) and Nominated MPs Joscelin Yeo and Paulin Straughan have also called for more efforts to prevent youth from succumbing to the temptation of easy money.

However, youth are not the only ones vulnerable to unsolicited moneylenders.

With the large number of people in financial straits last year, statistics showed that 58 per cent more of loansharking and harassment cases were reported. Arrests have likewise shot up from 505 in 2008 to 958 last year.

Senior Assistant Commissioner of Police and Director of Criminal Investigation Department Ng Boon Gay said the loan shark situation is not expected to improve as "the percentage of bad debt has actually risen".

He also said that the police is monitoring the situation closely.

A Casino Crime Investigation Branch has recently been formed to deal with casino-related crimes.