2 arrested for loanshark harassment involving fire
AsiaOne
Friday, Feb 01, 2013
SINGAPORE - Officers from the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) today arrested two male subjects aged 25 and 48 for suspected involvement in loanshark harassment cases by setting fire and vandalising vehicles.
Police received 3 reports on cases of loanshark harassment between Jan 28 and 31 this year.
One occurred at Toh Guan Road, where an unknown yellow liquid was poured on the bonnet of a car. Two other cases involved the setting of fire near the vicinity of HDB units in Bukit Batok and Pasir Ris. Upon receipt of the reports, the officers acted swiftly to uncover all possible leads and arrested two suspects between 8.15 am and 12.30 pm today.
The two suspects will be charged in Court on tomorrow. Under the Moneylenders Act, persons found guilty of any acts of loanshark harassment shall be punished with imprisonment for a term not exceeding five years, a fine of not less than $5,000 and not more than $50,000, and shall also be liable to be punished with not less than three strokes of the cane.
Head of the Unlicensed Moneylending Strikeforce of CID, Superintendent of Police Aileen Yap commended the officers for their swift actions leading up to the arrests. She said, “These are senseless acts carried out by persons who are oblivious of the potential consequences of their actions. Police will spare no effort to hunt these offenders down and ensure that they are punished to the fullest extent of the law.”
Youths and other members of public are advised to stay away from loansharks and not to work or assist the loansharks in any way. The public can call the police at 999 or the X-Ah Long Hotline at 1800 924 5664 if they suspect or know of anyone who could be involved in loansharking activities.
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