A 44-year-old woman suspected of acting as a loanshark runner in multiple harassment cases has been arrested after posting a “final warning” at a home and threatening to set it on fire.
Police said in a statement that the woman was arrested at a residential unit at Tampines North Drive 2 for her suspected involvement in multiple cases of loanshark harassment.
Police said they were alerted to a case of loanshark harassment at the unit at about 12.50am on Wednesday (28 October). A debt notice had been pasted on the front door.
Officers from Bedok Police Division responded swiftly and arrested the woman at the scene.
Preliminary investigations suggest that the woman was also involved in several other cases of loanshark harassment across Singapore. Police seized five bicycle locks with keys, five debt notices and a mobile phone from her as evidence.
The note left at the scene read: “This is the final warning! The next time I come, I’ll lock up the place and set it on fire! You’d better come to me to resolve your problem.”
The woman was charged in court on Thursday (29 October). Under the Moneylenders Act, first-time offenders face a fine of between $5,000 and $50,000, up to five years’ imprisonment and up to six strokes of the cane upon conviction.
Police stressed that they have zero tolerance for loanshark harassment. Anyone who deliberately damages property, causes a nuisance or endangers public safety and order will be dealt with severely under the law.
Police also reminded the public to stay away from loansharks and not to work with them or provide any assistance. Anyone who suspects or has information that someone is involved in illegal moneylending activities can call 999.
