98 people under investigation for unlicensed moneylending activities: Police
Ninety-eight individuals are being investigated for their suspected involvement in unlicensed moneylending activities, the police said on Monday (Sep 7).The suspects, aged between 17 and 78, were caught during a seven-day island-wide operation between Aug 25 and 31.The operation was conducted by officers from the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) and the seven police land divisions.Among those being probed, preliminary investigations suggest that one had operated as an unlicensed moneylender, while seven others allegedly harassed debtors at their residences.There were 46 individuals who were also believed to be runners, carrying out ATM transfers.Additionally, 41 individuals were also suspected to have provided their ATM cards, personal identification numbers and internet banking tokens to unlicensed moneylenders, even opening bank accounts on unlicensed moneylenders' behalf.The remaining three, comprising a woman and two men aged between 26 and 48, are being investigated for their suspected involvement in cross-border unlicensed moneylending activities.