Police have arrested a 41-year-old man yesterday evening for suspected involvement in loansharking activities.

On 10 Aug 2010 at about 10.00 pm , officers from Clementi Police Division were conducting anti-crime rounds in the vicinity of Blk 449 Clementi Avenue 3 when they spotted a man behaving suspiciously. Upon a check, the officers found cash of about $1,000/-, several ATM cards and bank transaction receipts in his possession. The suspect was placed under arrest for suspected involvement in loansharking activities. Preliminary investigations revealed that the suspect is a debtor-turned-runner and was believed to have assisted the loansharks in their business by conducting bank transfers.

The suspect will be charged in Court on 12 Aug 2010 . First-time offenders found guilty of assisting in carrying on an unlicensed moneylending business may be fined not less than $30,000 and up to $300,000/- with mandatory imprisonment of up to 4 years and mandatory caning of up to 6 strokes.

Commander of Clementi Police Division, Deputy Assistant Commissioner of Police Melvin Yong, commended his officers for their vigilance. He also said that Police will continue to clamp down on such illegal activities and take stern action against those involved.