180 cases of reported loanshark harassment via SMSes since March 2013

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http://news.xin.msn.com/en/singapore/police-say-180-cases-of-reported-loanshark-harassment-via-smses-1#scpshrtu

More than 180 cases of intentional harassment made via SMSes purportedly sent by loansharks have been reported to the Police since early March 2013.

Police said at least 10 victims have fallen prey to the scam, and that at least $18,000 was transferred from the victims to the perpetrators.

They said the victims received SMSes from unknown mobile phone numbers. The SMS sender would threaten to come to the victims' homes unless they repay their loans.

When the victims called the phone numbers, they would be told by the culprits that their particulars had been used to borrow money from loansharks.

The culprits would also demand payment from the victims and threaten to harass their families by locking, splashing paint or setting fire to their units if they did not pay up.

Police said the victims in most of the cases had no dealings with loansharks.

But some of the victims fearing for their safety had transferred money to bank account numbers given by the culprits.

Members of the public should not contact the sender of the SMSes and also not give in to unknown and unsolicited demands for loan repayments. They should contact the Police if they receive any call or SMS of such nature.