Police have arrested a 43-year-old man who is suspected to be involved in loanshark harassment cases islandwide.

On 20 August 2010 at about 1.45 pm , officers from Ang Mo Kio Police Division were patrolling in the vicinity of Hougang Ave 1 when they spotted the suspect loitering suspiciously. Upon a check, the officers found loanshark-related paraphernalia such as cans of paints, black marker pens, and several handphones which are believed to contain debtors' records in the suspect's possession. The officers also noted that the suspect's shorts and slippers had been stained with paint. Upon further interview, the suspect was placed under arrest and all the mentioned items were seized as case exhibits. Preliminary investigations revealed that the suspect, who is believed to be a debtor-turned-runner, had earlier scrawled loanshark-related graffiti at a staircase landing just before he was arrested. The suspect is also believed to be involved in loanshark harassment cases islandwide, including areas such as Choa Chu Kang, Eunos, Bedok, Ang Mo Kio and Hougang.

The suspect will be charged in Court on 21 August 2010 under the Moneylenders Act (Revised Edition 2010). First time offenders found guilty of loanshark harassment shall be fined not less than $5,000 and not more than $50,000 with mandatory imprisonment of up to 5 years and mandatory caning of up to 6 strokes.

Commander of Ang Mo Kio Police Division HQ, Deputy Assistant Commissioner of Police Hsu Sin Yun, commended his officers for their vigilance and efforts in clamping down on loansharking activities.