252 people nabbed in 16-day Bedok Police Division operation
A total of 252 people were arrested for various offences during a 16-day enforcement operation led by Bedok Police Division.
Most of the suspects were nabbed for offences related to cheating and loan-shark activities, while a small number were hauled up for drug offences and other crimes.
The suspects, aged between 16 and 76, comprise 186 men and 66 women.
The operation took place from Nov 23 to Dec 8, the police said in a statement yesterday.
Of the 252 people, 50 men and 19 women are being investigated for suspected involvement in e-commerce scams and money-laundering activities, with the value of the transactions exceeding $1.5 million.
Another 129 men and 45 women, aged between 18 and 76, are being investigated for loan scams and loan-shark activities involving transactions of more than $216,000.
MONEYLENDERS ACT
Among these, 11 men and eight women, aged between 20 and 61, were arrested for offences under the Moneylenders Act.
The offence of cheating carries a jail term of up to 10 years and a fine, while money laundering is punishable with a jail term of up to 10 years and a fine of up to $500,000.
First-time offenders found guilty of assisting in unlicensed moneylending may be fined between $30,000 and $300,000 and jailed for up to four years with mandatory caning of up to six strokes.
Repeat offenders are liable for the same fine but face an increased jail term of up to seven years and mandatory caning of up to 12 strokes.
Another four men and two women, aged between 16 and 59, were arrested for drug-related offences with support from Central Narcotics Bureau officers.
Also nabbed were three other men, aged between 24 and 42, for offences including criminal intimidation and theft.
The police said all investigations are ongoing.
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