In two separate cases yesterday, Police arrested three men and one woman aged between 17 and 24 for suspected involvement in loansharking activities.

On 6 Jul 2010 at about 8.45 pm, officers from Clementi Police Division on patrol arrested a 24 year-old man at Blk 451 Clementi Ave 3 who was in possession of 7 ATM cards, several bank transaction slips and cash amounting to $2,900. The suspect is believed to have facilitated the business of a loanshark by carrying out bank transfers.

In the second case, two men and a woman were spotted splashing paint and scrawling words in black ink on a unit at Blk 18 Ghim Moh Road at about 10pm on 6 Jul 2010. Officers from Clementi Police Division arrived within minutes and arrested the three suspects at Blk 7 Ghim Moh Road. Loanshark-related paraphernalia such as cans of paint, a black marker and two handphones were found in their possession. Preliminary investigations revealed that one of the suspects was a debtor-turned-runner and the trio had assisted in unlicensed moneylending activities by harassing debtors.

All 4 suspects will be charged in Court on 8 Jul 2010 for offences under the Moneylenders Act.

First-time offenders found guilty of assisting in the carrying on of the business of an unlicensed moneylender may be fined not less than $30,000/- and not more than $300,000/- and be imprisoned for a term not exceeding 4 years and shall also be liable to be punished with caning of not more than 6 strokes.

First-time offenders found guilty of acting on behalf of an unlicensed moneylender, committing or attempting to commit any acts of harassment shall be punished with imprisonment for a term not exceeding five years, and a fine of not less than $5,000 and not more than $50,000, and shall also be liable to caning of not less than 3 and not more than 6 strokes.

Commander of Clementi Police Division, Deputy Assistant Commissioner of Police Melvin Yong, commended his officers for their excellent teamwork and vigilance which resulted in the arrest of the suspects. He added, “The Police will continue to take stern action against persons who facilitate the business of unlicensed moneylenders, especially those who cause distress to the public with their acts of harassment".