Police arrested two men, aged 18 and 30 years old, on 29 Jun 2009 for suspected involvement in more than 200 cases of loanshark harassment cases islandwide.

On 25 Jun 2009 at about 11.30pm , a member of public who discovered paint splashed on her door spotted a man loitering suspiciously in the vicinity of her residence at Blk 509 Jelapang Road. The suspect was then seen leaving the area in a private ambulance. The member of public promptly alerted the Police. Officers from Jurong Police Division immediately sprang into action and conducted extensive enquiries in which the identity of the suspect was subsequently established. On 29 Jun 2009 , an operation was mounted leading to the arrest of the 30 year-old Malay suspect. The suspect was found to be a private ambulance driver who had utilized his company’s ambulance to conduct illegal loansharking activities without his company's knowledge. The suspect is also believed to be a debtor himself. Following a check, various loanshark-related paraphernalia, including paint packed into small plastic packets and boxes of coloured crayons, were found in the ambulance in which the suspect drove. Three ATM cards, two handphones and two notebooks with debtor records were also seized from him.

Following the arrest of the first suspect, the officers conducted further investigations and established the identity of his accomplice, a 18-year-old male Malay. The 2nd suspect was promptly arrested the same day. Investigations revealed that the first suspect had recruited his accomplice via an internet chat line.

The duo are believed to be responsible for more than 200 loanshark harassment cases islandwide. These included harassing the victims by splashing paint on their cars.

Commander of Jurong Police Division, Deputy Assistant Commissioner Cheang Keng Keong, commended his officers for their dedication, perseverance and good investigative work which led to the arrest of the 2 suspects. He warned borrowers against assisting in unlicensed moneylending activities in order to repay debts and urged companies to be vigilant against the misuse of their assets for illegal activities. He also reiterated that the Police would continue to exert pressure on those involved in loansharking activities.

Both suspects will be charged in Court on 1 Jul 2009 for loanshark harassment under the Moneylenders Act 2008. First-time offenders found guilty of loanshark harassment may be fined not less than $4,000 and up to $40,000 or jailed for up to 3 years or both. In addition, caning may be imposed on those who cause damage to property or harm to others while committing acts of loanshark harassment.