'Next time I come, I lock and burn': Woman arrested for loanshark harassment

A 44-year-old woman has been arrested for her involvement in several loanshark harassment cases across Singapore.

The police said in a news release on Wednesday (Oct 28) that they were alerted to a case of loanshark harassment at a residential unit along Tampines North Drive 2, where a debtor's note was pasted on the gate.

"This last warning! Next time I come, I direct lock and burn. Better find me to solve your problem," the note read.

Officers from Bedok Police Division responded swiftly to the incident and arrested the woman at the scene.

Five bicycle locks with keys, five debtor's notes and one mobile phone were also seized from the woman as case exhibits.

The woman is believed to be involved in several other loanshark harassment cases islandwide, based on the police's preliminary investigations.

She will be charged in court on Thursday under the Moneylenders Act.

First-time offenders could be fined up to $50,000, jailed for up to five years, and receive up to six strokes of the cane.

The police warned that they have zero tolerance for loanshark harassment activities.

"Those who deliberately vandalise properties, cause annoyance and disrupt public safety, peace and security will be dealt with severely in accordance with the law," they said.

The police also advised the public to stay away from loansharks and not work with or assist them in any way.

Those who suspect or know of anyone who could be involved in loansharking activities can call '999'.

laili.abdeen@asiaone.com

一名44岁女子因涉嫌参与新加坡多起高利贷骚扰案件而被捕。

警方在周三（10 月 28 日）发布的新闻稿中表示，他们接到报案称，淡滨尼北路 2 号一处住宅单元发生高利贷骚扰案件，有人在大门上贴了一张债务人的纸条。

“这是最后一次警告！下次我再来，我就直接锁门烧掉。最好来找我解决问题。”纸条上写道。

勿洛警署的警员迅速赶到现场，逮捕了这名女子。

警方还从该女子身上搜出五把带钥匙的自行车锁、五张债务人票据和一部手机，作为案件证据。

根据警方的初步调查，该女子被认为与全岛其他几起高利贷骚扰案件有关。

她将于周四在法庭上被控违反《放债人法》。

初犯者最高可被处以 5 万美元罚款、五年监禁，并处以最多六下鞭刑。

警方警告称，他们对高利贷骚扰行为零容忍。

他们说：“那些故意破坏财物、扰乱公共秩序、破坏公共安全、和平与秩序的人，将依法受到严厉惩处。”

警方还建议公众远离高利贷者，不要以任何方式与他们合作或协助他们。

任何怀疑或知道有人可能参与高利贷活动的人都可以拨打“999”报警。

laili.abdeen@asiaone.com