Police warn of fake COVID-19 related job postings by unlicensed moneylenders

The police cautioned members of the public to be wary of fake COVID-19-related job advertisements on social media and online marketplaces posted by unlicensed moneylenders (UMLs) or loan sharks.
Bukit Batok NPC shared the police’s statement on Facebook earlier today (21 May), stating that the police are investigating four men and two women – aged between 20 and 45 – for separate cases of loan sharks harassment.
According to the statement, the individuals had responded to fake job postings on Carousell to be a “Stay Home Personnel Checker” which supposedly help to enforce COVID-19 Stay Home notices, with wages offered at S$14 per hour or S$190 a day.
The individuals, however, were recruited by UMLs to harass debtors, deliver harassment notes to the debtors’ residential units or letterboxes, and conduct fake COVID-19 home surveys.
None of the individuals received any payment.
Following that, the police cautioned members of the public to be cautious when taking up part-time jobs, especially job postings that offer quick and easy money.
“We will come down hard on loanshark harassment. Those who engage in such activities will be arrested and dealt with severely,” it stated.
Additionally, members of the public are advised not to work with or assist loansharks in by any means.
If found guilty of assisting in the business of unlicensed moneylending, first-time offenders will be subject to a fine of between S$30,000 and S$300,000, imprisonment for a term of up to four years, and caned up to six strokes.
Members of the public are also advised to call the police at ‘999’ or the X-Ah Long hotline at 1800-924-5664 if they happen to suspect or come to know of anyone who could be involved in illegal loansharking activities.