Singapore authorities have arrested two Chinese nationals for their alleged involvement in loan shark harassment. Li Zhihong, 41, and Liu Xuetao, 42, were charged with targeting a debtor living in a Housing Board flat at Towner Road on Jan 25.
According to police reports, the duo placed a bicycle lock on the main gate of the flat and wrote a debtor’s note in blue permanent ink on the adjacent wall. The police acted swiftly, using footage from police cameras to identify and apprehend the suspects the very next day.
Brought Back to the Crime Scene
As part of investigations, on Jan 31 at about 11 am, police escorted the handcuffed suspects back to the void deck of Block 105 Towner Road. The bespectacled Li was then taken up to the flat where the incident occurred. Standing beside the wall where the debtor note remained visible, he was seen speaking to the officers in Mandarin.
Liu, also shackled, was present during the re-enactment. This process is often done to strengthen the evidence against suspects by verifying their actions at the scene.
Links to Other Cases
The police revealed that Li and Liu are suspected of being involved in other similar cases of loan shark harassment, including one in Everton Park. Their alleged actions are part of a larger issue of illegal moneylending operations in Singapore, where unlicensed lenders employ runners to intimidate debtors into making payments.
Loan shark harassment cases often involve tactics such as splashing paint, locking gates, and leaving threatening messages outside victims’ homes. These acts are meant to coerce borrowers into repaying their debts, often with exorbitant interest rates.
Legal Consequences
The two men were formally charged in court on Jan 28 for their roles in the harassment case and will return to court on Feb 4 for further proceedings. If convicted, first-time offenders face severe penalties under Singapore law.
The offence of loan shark harassment carries:
- A fine between $5,000 and $50,000
- Up to five years in jail
- A maximum of six strokes of the cane
Repeat offenders face even harsher punishments, as Singapore takes a tough stance against illegal moneylending and harassment.
Police Warning Against Loan Shark Activities
Authorities have reiterated their commitment to clamping down on unlicensed moneylending and related harassment activities. The police encourage members of the public to report suspicious loan shark activities and advise borrowers to seek legal financial assistance rather than resorting to unlicensed lenders.
Loan sharks, commonly referred to as "Ah Longs," often exploit borrowers by imposing exorbitant interest rates and resorting to intimidation tactics when payments are not made on time. Victims of such harassment are urged to contact the authorities immediately for assistance.
As investigations continue, the case serves as a strong reminder that Singapore enforces strict laws against loan shark activities and will not hesitate to take action against offenders.
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