Three men to be charged for loan-sharking activities

SINGAPORE — Three men will be charged in court today for their involvement in loan-sharking activities.

The trio, who were involved in separate cases across the island, were arrested over the past two days, the police said in a press statement 
yesterday.

In the first case, a series of loanshark harassment cases reported in the vicinity of Yishun, Bukit Batok, Bukit Panjang and Teck Whye from July 15 to 21 led officers from three different Neighbourhood Police Centres to zero in on a 45-year-old suspect, with the help of police cameras and other CCTV cameras.

Based on preliminary investigations after his arrest on Tuesday at about 5pm around Marsiling Road, the man is believed to have helped loanshark syndicates splash red paint at debtors’ units and scribble graffiti on walls.

The areas he is said to have hit include Jurong East, Bukit Panjang, Bangkit Road, Yishun, Ang Mo Kio, Bukit Batok, Hougang, Potong Pasir and Teck Whye.

Later that day, Crime Strike Force officers from Choa Chu Kang Neighbourhood Police Centre also arrested a 27-year-old near Jurong East Street 21. He is suspected of helping a loan-shark syndicate facilitate illegal money-lending transactions.

The third suspect, a 23-year-old arrested near Ang Mo Kio Avenue 10 yesterday, is said to be a loan-shark runner who has delivered debtor notes to borrowers’ addresses.

Under the Moneylenders Act, first-time offenders found guilty of helping loan sharks in their business may be fined between S$30,000 and S$300,000, jailed up to four years and will also be liable to caning of up to six strokes.

First-time offenders found guilty of loan-shark harassment will be punished with imprisonment of up to five years and a fine of between S$5,000 and S$50,000, and will also be liable to three to six strokes of the cane.