Three men arrested for loansharking activities

SINGAPORE: Police have arrested three men for loansharking in two separate cases with the help of vigilant residents.

In the first case, Police were informed by a resident at about 10pm on Sunday that he had just detained a 55—year—old male suspect outside his flat in Ang Mo Kio Avenue 6.

Police arrested the suspect shortly after that and seized items believed to have been used for loansharking. These include ATM transaction receipts, two bank cards, a mobile phone and pieces of paper believed to contain debtors’ records.

Police said early investigations showed that he had assisted a loan shark by verifying the particulars of debtors, carrying out electronic funds transactions, issuing loans and collecting repayments from borrowers.

The suspect will be charged in court on Tuesday.

In the second case, a resident called the Police at about 10pm, also on Sunday, about a man behaving suspiciously around Clementi Avenue 4.

When the 27—year—old suspect spotted the police officers, he dashed off in the direction of Clementi Avenue 5. He was caught after a short chase, with the help of another public—spirited member of the public.

Police later arrested a 31—year—old male suspect in the same area, believed to be his accomplice. They also seized items such as a mobile phone and a can of thinner.

Police believe the 27—year—old suspect was involved in several cases of loan shark harassment in Stirling Road, Clementi, Sengkang and Hougang.

He will be charged in court on Tuesday.

Investigations against the 31—year—old suspect are ongoing.

—CNA/ac