3 loanshark runners arrested
AsiaOne
Friday, Sep 27, 2013
SINGAPORE - Police have arrested a man and two women for suspected involvement in loansharking activities in two separate cases.
The 24-year-old male suspect in the first case was arrested on Sep 27 at about 3.30pm at Admiralty Road West. Police seized two mobile phones from his possession for investigations. The suspect is believed to be involved in several loanshark harassment cases by securing units with bicycle locks and leaving debtors' notes behind.
On the same day, the two female suspects were arrested at Lorong 101 Changi by officers following up on a case of loanshark harassment committed in Ubi. The duo, aged 34 and 42, are suspected of being responsible for several loanshark harassment cases island-wide, by securing units with bicycle locks, scrawling graffiti and splashing paint on their walls and leaving debtors' notes behind.
The 34-year-old suspect is also believed to have performed electronic fund transactions via Automated Teller Machines for a loanshark syndicate.
Loanshark-related paraphernalia such as a bicycle lock, a plastic container with paint and a bottle of turpentine were seized for investigations.
The three suspects will appear in court on Sep 28.
First-time offenders found guilty of loanshark harassment face a fine of between $5,000 and $50,000, with mandatory imprisonment of up to five years and mandatory caning of up to six strokes. First-time offenders found guilty of assisting in the carrying on of the business of an unlicensed moneylender may be fined between $30,000 and $300,000, be imprisoned for a maximum term of four years and shall also be liable for up to six strokes of the cane.
