Over 300 arrested for loanshark harassment in 2 weeks
AsiaOne
Thursday, Jan 10, 2013
SINGAPORE - Police have arrested more than 300 people involved in loanshark harassment cases within 2 weeks.
An operation on Thursday lasted 7 hours and resulted in the arrest of four male subjects aged between 17 and 24.
CID officers arrested three male suspects, believed to be responsible for several cases of harassment involving the setting of fire, in Bedok North and Toa Payoh simultaneously. The cases happened at Jurong West, Toa Payoh and Tampines last week.
They are also believed to be involved in more than 10 cases of loanshark harassment involving the use of paint splashed at units and scrawling of graffiti on walls at various locations in December 2012.
On the same day, CID also arrested another male subject for suspected involvement in a few cases of loanshark harassment by splashing paint on cars belonging to innocent car owners in Hougang and Senja Link.
All four suspects will be charged in court January 11 for offences under the Moneylenders Act.
First-time offenders found guilty of loanshark harassment can be jailed for up to 5 years, fined between $5,000 and $50,000, and given 3 to 6 strokes of the cane.
First-time offenders found guilty of assisting in carrying on the business of unlicensed moneylending may be fined between $30,000 and $300,000, jailed a maximum of 4 years and be liable to be punished with not more than 6 strokes of the cane.
