Desperate Call for Help: Loan Shark…
Published by Sassyjan January 20th, 2010 in Angry Shite, Sad ShiteIt has been nearly 6 years since I begun writing on this space.
I’ve shared snippets of the ups and downs in my roller coaster life,
and you all have been nothing but supportive through some of my lowest points.
Today, I write with fears and in tears. Shaken and afraid for my family.
I need help. I need advice. I need support. I need protection. I need a solution.
- - - - -
My dad passed away on 31 Oct 2009 due to a sudden heart attack.
He was 47 years old, healthy and fit with no past history of cardiac problems.
He’s a responsible man who took care of us & ran his own painting works business.
On 13 January 2010, I read this on the front page of Straits Times,
and the day before, news too reported on the parliament’s new ‘initiative’…
On that very same day, my mom called me at the office at 8pm.
And I came home in shock to this…
Immediately, The loansharks hit back. Who’s Boss really?
The police actually got this all done and covered up really fast though.
Apparently the Loanshark left their handphone no. but I can’t make it out.
The police had already left when I got home.
My mom clearly shaken by the incident only remember the police asking her
not to speak to the loan shark if they call because these people are very callous.
All was left was this blue card with the contact of the CID IO in-charge.
That night, for the first time in 3 months since my dad passed away,
his handphone rung and rung umpteen times. Eventually, I picked it up.
The guy claims that my dad owed them $6K and we have to pay up.
They say they’ll give us 2 days to decide or they will continue with this.
What do we do now? what SHOULD we do now?
For 2 days I called the Inspecting Officer in-charge - No Answer.
- - - - -
On 19 January, they sent a message to my Dad’s phone…
不用紧，你要玩，好，我叫我的人上其他人的家，泼漆，然后把你的
名字电话号码写在墙上，讲你是大耳聋，看你死吗？看警察来找你吗？
你没住那里也不用紧，警察会找到你的。钱你不还我，我就让你坐牢
好戏在过年之前。
Then they followed up with a call which I promptly answered.
I asked to see the IOU or signature of my dad. They say there isn’t any.
I asked who’s the guarantor. They say there isn’t any either.
The call ended hostilely - there’s no proof of the loan.
I called the police again and reported the incident and the exchange,
A guy from Jurong HQ called me to say the IO in charge will contact us.
I waited up the whole night for someone to come or call me - Nothing.
- - - - -
The very next morning, on 20 January, 7am, I woke up to sounds of smashing and this…
They tore down my front door…
For the 3rd time in 1 week, we dialed 999 in desperation.
I repeated everything… E-v-e-r-y-t-h-i-n-g from the start to this ‘end’ in detail.
What do we do now? what SHOULD we do now?
He helpfully suggested that I install CCTV, but looked equally as helpless as I was.
His job is to write the report and forward this to the CID Inspecting Officer.
I called said IO again and the phone rung and rung - Nothing.
The police officer said he’ll try to help me call this Inspecting Officer,
but with the same helpless look, told me he will try to email him too,
however, sometimes it might take more than a week to be answered.
To know that internally, they can’t even reach each other was… troubling.
I looked at him in the eye and told him,
‘I am a Singaporean. I believe in the system.’
He smiled and nodded.
At that moment, I’m not sure if he did.
- - - - -
I’m very afraid of what would or could happen. My mom is very jumpy now.
We’re worried sick about my 11-year old sister who travels to school alone.
I took half day leave to wait for the police, report this case, and stay by my mom.
In desperation, I called IO again and the phone rung and rung - Still Nothing.
The police now have 2 handphone no. that the loansharks had used to call us.
We have spoken to them on both occassions proving the no. actually works.
Have anything been done with these leads yet?
This happen within 10 hours from my desperate report of the threat that came.
Why didn’t the police come or even watched out for us even just for 1 night?
Did they even went and ask for a statement from my neighbours in the opp blk,
who I told them, saw this happen and even told us where the guy ran off to?
I sit in fear and concerns from friends asking me to:
- Pay them! (Get it over with)
- Don’t Pay them! (Become an easy target in future)
- Install CCTV (Catch them in the act)
- Don’t bother install CCTV (They usually come in helmets or caps)
- Move house temporary
- Move house permanently
To each and everyone, I told them,
‘I am a Singaporean. I believe in the system.’
But as the attack gets closer and fiercer, I find my faith slowly dwindling.
Can the police protect my family? Or have I place my faith in the wrong place?
Can I count on the system to get to the end of this matter & save us from this?
Or are we and perhaps many others going to fall to the menace of loansharks?
Has the dark became stronger than the light here in Singapore?
Is our first IR, truly, really, opening… Today?
61 Responses to “Desperate Call for Help: Loan Shark...”
- 1 Pingback on Jan 20th, 2010 at 6:28 pm
- 2 Pingback on Jan 20th, 2010 at 10:35 pm
- 3 Pingback on Jan 21st, 2010 at 12:22 pm
- 4 Pingback on Jan 23rd, 2010 at 12:27 am
dont pay them. they’ll ask for more in the future(esp since theres no IOU/guarantor). your family needs the $$ anyway now.
ure now really dependent on the men in blue and probably a cctv(maybe angle the camera down-up so that u still can capture their faces even if they wear hats).
if necessary, try getting a male(someone close and trustworthy) to help for awhile to provide support-such as picking & sending yr sister to sch.
meanwhile, try asking for another IO to handle the case. worst situation, find MP for help.
Sassyjan: The men in blue are not responding, and ex-men in blue tell me no point cctv coz can’t see shite one coz the runners come covered up. My boss called up men in blue that they know to bring attention to my case. But men in blue in charge of my case still remains uncontactable. Who should I call to change an IO? Would it even work or help?
I think I’ll start to send my sis to school tomorrow onwards coz 5.30am is way too fucking dark and early for a 11-year old to go to school alone in the midst of this chaos.
Writing my emails now. I am very very upset at what’s happening and the lawlessness that is actually allowed to be happening in Singapore despite all the dandy hardcore rules and acts that is seemingly being executed. How many people are there out there who suffered in silence without a voice? I happened to have a bit more of a voice thanks to this space and I want to shed light to this issue that could very well be blown out of proportioned by the time our casino opens its doors.
Can our local police and government really handle this? Is anyone even truly doing anything? Loan sharking should be out-lawed and stamped out completely.
I think it is best that you speak to your MP about this. Hope he/she can do something about it.
Take care. Hope you settle this issue quickly.
Sassyjan: Writing my email now coz the next meet-the-people session is 1 week later and by then maybe I don’t have anymore doors liaooooo… zZz…
Like Dk said, go see yr mp. Don’t have blind faith in the system. When one isn’t working for you try the other..
Sassyjan: What is ‘the other’? the bad people ah?
Since it had been so many days, MP is the only resort you can approach. At least the MP will stress on the police to patrol there more often. Of course, hoping that the loansharker will be nab.
Sassyjan: As above dear.
Hi there, I don’t have personal experience with this but I am sorry to hear about your plight.
Some suggestions:
- speak to your MP
- inform the media;
Lianhe Wanbao
Tel: (65) 6319 6206
Hotline: 1800 741 6988 / 6388
Fax: (65) 6319 8133
Email: wanbao@sph.com.sg
The New Paper
Tel: (65) 6319 6319
Hotline: 1800 733 4455
Fax: (65) 6319 8266
Email: tnp@sph.com.sg
MediaCorp TV programme - Frontline
Hotline: 63551525
Hope that helps and all the best.
Sassyjan: Thanks dear.
actually from what i know..
once a person is dead.. all his debts are written off
the loansharks should know this rule..
for a 6k debt.. n seeing e loansharks doing this.. i doubt they are really one. they have no standard at all.. what can they do if u dunt pay them.. trust me.. they will leave u alone.. getting pple to smash ur house, paint on walls need $$ too.. texed him bk, challenged him.. they cfm scrared..
Sassyjan: Actually you’re right. I know about that too. Heard it’s the runners that would chase such ‘debts’ because what they manage to get, they will keep. Which is why my friends are telling me not to pay them off because I’ll be opening a can of worms - Pour a bucket of paint over my door and I will pay. AND the crux is… I REALLY DON’T KNOW IF MY DAD EVEN TOOK THIS LOAN!
I still can’t fucking believe they smashed my front door. @#$&*%$#@$%
If it helps…..I just forwarded your blog to the media…..hopefully they can follow up on this new lead…
Take care!
Sassyjan: For a moment, I wish I’m rich and famous and there are paparazzi watching (out for) me. haha
wild idea - put a webcam? let your blog readers view the cam.
Sassyjan: Very wild indeed. Like 24hr sex cam style isit? hahahah. but…
HOW?!
1) Get a bit of water and a piece of cloth.
2) Spend some time trying to remove the paintwork left by the police or town council contractors. It’s likely to be emulsion paint. If it is lacquer-based, or enamel paint, strip the paintwork with turpentine and a piece of rag. Take care not to remove the markings made by the vandals.
3) When the numbers are apparent, make a note of them and bring them to the ‘telco providers’. They empower the loansharks and the police to do their thing.
Sassyjan: Thanks dear. I’ve gotten both the no. because the loan sharks called us eventually. Both the no. have been given to the police. I shall ask if they have done anything WHEN somebody actually bothers to give me a call and update me on status. Meanwhile, I will write in to the telco providers as you have suggested.
Lovely advices. Are you a real painter?
hey babe,
my stand is still the same and I stand by you, don’t pay them cuz:
1. they don’t have IOU.
2. the borrower is deceased, which means that the loan should be waived.
3. if your dad was the guarantor, then the ah long suay sai no money to collect.
4. pay this one who doesn’t have an IOU and you’re probably inviting more who don’t have IOUs.
5. this was supposed to be, “I trust in the system”. but seeing how the policemen react to you, I’m starting to doubt the system.
Regarding your sis, couldn’t you arrange for bus service for her? Or do I belong to the stone age and there aren’t such services anymore?
Anyway, while you’re at your letter to the MP… I think you should just CC the media and SPF in the email. By media, I’m thinking ST, ST Forum, TNPS, Stomp, 晚报.
Why SPF even though they’ve been anything but useful thus far? Cuz their servie pledge (http://www.spf.gov.sg/abtspf/service_pledge.htm) states that, they’ll “respond to letters from the public within 5 working days” and will “update victims of crime on the preliminary status of cases within 7 working days”. With all the CC, it might just speed things up and increase the efficiency.
Whatever you do, I’m a phonecall/SMS away. Loves!
Sassyjan: Terence has offered to come and send my sister to school every morning. I cannot emphasize enough - I really have very very great friends. *HUGS EVERYONE*
I am writing separate emails to different people because as much as I want to bring attention to my helpless plight, I believe I also just found myself stepping into a different ‘zone’ which requires a special mention:
I simply cannot believe how my family and I is at the mercy of such thugs with no concrete help nor advices rendered by the police thus far besides taking down our statement. I suppose I grew up in a rather cushy environment and never really knew what people go through being harrassed- just vagued ideas from watching tv. I read The Straits Times everyday, I listen to the news, parliament updates and I sincerely believe in the system.
And Now that this is happening to me. I want to see these things that the police and government have always claim they do. I want them to exercise the power they have over lawlessness. I want their help. Their protection. I want people nabbed. I want my family to be safe.
When this happen to me, I experience first hand the possible plight of the many people possibly silently putting up with this, because they don’t have a voice (though maybe some of them are probably not so innocent). I happen to have that bit more of a voice. And I want to make a stand. If the police don’t spruce up their division now, and handle mere peanuts case (Extorting $6000) like mine, what’s more when our 2 dandy casino opens up.
P.s Eh… Is your mom worried that you’re giving tuition to my sis?
I suggest you draft a letter to the providers, visit them in person to show them that you mean business, leave the letter with them, and say that you think it’s not very responsible of them not to have co-operated with the police in the matter. after that, drop a hint that you may write in to the papers.
Thanks for the compliment. Yes, I really paint. One of the many things i have done.
Sassyjan: Cannot email ah? *makes face* I’ll see what I can manage to do then… I’m heading back to ALOT of work in the office tomorrow. I probably won’t have time to go pop by places. *sigh*
Oh… What do you paint? I love paintings! But I’m soooo bad at them. I did one that I posted HERE though! Hard to find ppl who have similar interest!!! Email me!! ceo [at] sassyjan.com
Also, try to recall when those vandals struck. If there seems to be some regularity with the occurences, try to have more people around the place about the time you think they’ll strike.
Make it appear busy, and cheery. Get your friends to hang out with you. Keep the place well-lit.
If you have rough-looking friends, all the better. Make sure they hang around near the doorway, visible to anyone who might pass by. (If possible, they should hang around outside the unit, fiddle with their handphones as if they’re up to something big, and stare down passers-by, or at least look at them in an ominous manner.)
This might take away a bit of the vandalism and harassment.
Sassyjan: The ‘paint job’ was at 7pm… The break door job at 7am. Maybe they like the no. 7? *grim face*
And er… I actually don’t have rough looking friends… now. Damn. Just got rid of my biggest roughest looking guy who would had done anything for me. hahah. Anyway, that’s besides the point. The point is I really don’t have rough looking friends lah.
Pls contact me thru the email.
Sassyjan: Thanks Han. Got your email. Really appreciate it!
then i guess a letter would have to do.
i did painting in art class. now i paint walls, ceilings and sometimes fences.
Sassyjan: When I was reading, ‘now i paint walls, ceilings and sometimes fences’ the first thing I thought was… THE AH LONG ALSO!!! hahaha. Kidding. I’ll drop you a mail later. Let me finish 正经事 and write the letter properly to my MP first. ;P
Sorry to hear about your case, i believe your dad didn’t take up the loan, could be someone he knew trying to get some fast cash by revealing the info to loan sharks.
There is only 2 effective solutions,
1) See your minister, yes minister, not mps. But minister dont turn up as often so if the closest date is only getting to see an mp, then just try.
2) Most effective way, speak to the media, wanbao, newpaper, xin ming. They love such and they will help you publish your case. This will force the “missing-in-action” I/O to suddenly appear to get on with your case. He will come up with some reasons to cover his buttock.
3) Internet - Blogs, forums, spread them! Get more attention, the more the merrier. Those who are suppose to help or act will have no choice but to be siao on.
as for ‘I am a Singaporean. I believe in the system.’ i am glad you are able to see some truth now. Don’t worry. you are not the 1st and defintely not the last, i know how they work. The system that i believe in is to use the right method to get them to work.
Hope your case will be settle soon, be strong.
Sassyjan: I am sincerely disturbed by your chosen nick. But anyway, I found myself chuckling as I read your comment. Advices are duly noted.
I’m staying away from the chinese, tabloid newspapers because my point is not to ruffle the feathers of the loanshark but to draw attention of the police to PLEASE HANDLE MY CASE… NOW CAN?!?!?!!!! So yea… I don’t have that many front doors left. The money I’m eventually gonna be paying to fix all this shite is gonna likely cost me more than the extorted amount of $4K or $6K depending on which shithead call (coz got 1 offer discount one. *grim face*).
This is a matter of my CB principle and the belief that our law will prevail. Fighting to the end no matter what!
I’ve experienced all of this before. Had my house door AND neighbour’s door splashed with paint, smashed flower pots and they also locked up our door. The police too…didn’t really help in finding the loan sharks. We end up paying the loan sharks. The police don’t really bother themselves with this kind of “small” cases as they think it is. They don’t understand the fear we have for the safety of our family members.
Sassyjan: Hey dear, I’m so sorry… Wish there was something I could say or do that would help situations like that…
As much as I don’t condone the doings of the loan sharks, neither do I condone the act of illegal money borrowing. Hopefully there would come a day that a… compromise of some sort would be put in place and this act would be stamped out altogether.
Your plight already been highlighted in TODAY papers. Hopefully, now the men-in-blue will take a serious look into your case. Especially the IO-in-charge. It’s time he is ‘contactable’ NOW.
And just to highlight a note - those loansharks goes for the address, not the person, anymore. Which literally means, even if the person is no longer around, they don’t care at all. But on the very least, I knew they always targets at the property to instill fears into you all, hoping you will cough up the money. Doubts they will dare to physically harms you/family.
But nevertheless, practise precautions. Be alwyas alert if you/sis/mom are coming back home late. At least try to avoids that.
Take care.
Sassyjan: He certainly isn’t making attempts to call me. But since people have been assigned to look into this, I will accept that perhaps he is too busy or whatoever…
The RC people gave us this nifty little keychain gadget that emits the loudest most shrill and irritating siren EVAR. I guess that would help if someone tries to attack one of us. hahaha.
I’m the only person who goes home late, so… I don’t know la. *makes sulky face*
is this the jurong police post you tried to call?
Few months ago, I came home in the wee hours of the night to find a man slumped inside his car, worrying for his safety (CO poisoning) since my friend tried to wake him up and he did not response at all, we phoned the police to make a trip to check.
After 4 repeated calls every 45 mins and 3 hours later, no one came. Each call was met with the similar standard type response. The operator said the police was busy. Busy? at 3am at night? I had serious doubts about the efficiency of our police force since then. Thankfully, the driver eventually stumbled out of the car. Had it been a case of real emergency, the police would have been useless.
So sorry to hear about your plight. I sure hope that your blog brings media attention to the police so they can “wake up their idea” and get you out of your horrible situation. Their response or rather lack of it is totally unacceptable.
Sassyjan: I guess them being the law enforcers, we do expect some level of sense of urgency from them. :/
Actually, I am a believer of a ‘Feedback’ system (though I rarely practise it coz really too lazy to write complain letter). Give a feedback when something is done right or done wrong so the rights prevails and the wrongs are well… hopefully taken note of and done the right way the next time round.
But hey! You’re such a observant citizen to care for someone you don’t know and try to ’save’ him. I commend you okay! If all of us in our own little way did our own little good, the world would be a much better place
This is shocking!!
Worse than Malaysia’s police?? Malaysian police do come by, even if in some cases they get delayed - they do turn up.
Even in Malaysia they are cutting down on loansharks by removing their ads and getting tough.
Not to say Malaysia is safer or anything, but Singapore has always been perceived to be more efficient. Like if you post a racist remark, they turn up at your door, but if someone attacks your home, they don’t even pick up the phone?
This IO guy, he is taking a salary for not doing anything? Why the police cannot transfer to another person - a simple act? Has any complaint been filed against the IO? - I mean, if you up to a policeman in the street, if he ignores you, it’s definitely a gross derelection of duty, right?
Sassyjan: Your comment have alot of different points and questions. I don’t know where to begin replying. haha.. But hm… Ok… I think this said IO is… Ok. Let’s just say, I don’t think that it is acceptable that up till this point he have made any attempts to contact me. BUT! considering so many are working towards helping me get this sorted out, with or without him, I will not be a mad dog and 咬着他不放.
P.s Do Malaysia police reply to emails? hahah. Somehow, I have a feeling if I’m in Malaysia, I would be beyond helpless and this platform would be completely inadequate…
Hi Janice, I am encountering the same problem as you for the past 2 weeks. One day i suddenly received a call from a UML to pay up. I never borrowed any $ and then it occured to me that i lost my IC few years ago and maybe someone took it to borrow $.
As a precaution, I have plastic sheets covered my windows and doors. A CCTV was installed. Flowerpots outside was thrown away. My shoe rack too. ( In case they set fire)
As expected, they try to come up to lock my door but failed as my gate cant be locked by a bicycle chain.
Next they splashed paint on my neighbours doord 2 floors below. I immediately write a letter explaining my situtation and ask my nieghbours to help keep watch for suspicious characters. I photocopy and hand delievered to ALL the units in my block.
Days later, another 2 neighbours was painted. Up to date, 3 neighbours were splashed. They dun ssplashed mine cos i had covered with plastic sheets. Last saturday, my CCTV caught 2 teens throwing my neighbours flower pots at my door.
To further add on,
here are some of their tactics and prevention
1) Lock your gates : Cover ya gate with plastic sheets or install those that only have grills on one side and full panel on the other.
2) KFC/McDelivery orders : This is a FOC service abuse by UML. They will place an order every now and then and those deliveries guys will knock on your door every now and then. Yes it happens to me. I called both the call center and F*** them upside down why they never verify ownership before accpeting orders.
3) Throw paint : Install CCTV. But neighbours will end up being the victims instead.
4) Flower pots / Arson : Leave your corridors empty. Throw away all pots and shoe racks.
5) Nusiance calls : Change number
6) Annoyed Neighbours : Write a letter explaining the situation to all of them. So far all 3 neighbours who kena, all very understanding and do not blame me. In fact when i free, i help them cleaned up too, which they appreciated. The incidents bring me closer to my neighbours in fact.
Now i only worry that they will splash paint on my neighbour cars.. that one the repair dmage very expensive ….
If you want to find out more on prevention, pls feel free to email me at
Sassyjan: Thanks for all the handy advices. I do hope it wouldn’t go to the extend of that, because if it does, this would bring the harassment up to a whole new level and… *shakes head*
Anyway, I took your email address out. Wouldn’t want you to be spammed or harassed. hahah
Sometime we have to take things in our own way rather then let things handed by those blue man. I do have samilier case before too, but sad to said till date no arrest was made and even we write in to inquiry about the status of the case we made, till date no replied. The only replied from them is asking me to join the neighbour watch team. Nonsence. !!
Sassyjan: Hey… Though I empathise with you, especially with me being in the same boat now, and do feel that having a proper post-report follow up is extremely important to assure us that things have been done/looked into, no matter how miniscule the effort, I do believe that as citizens of this country we live in, we each play a role in protecting ourselves and our society. I do not think the ‘joining the neighbourhood watch team’ thing is a bad suggestion at all. If we do not take responsible for the community we live in, how can we expect others to be responsible for us?
In fact, I only came to learn of this initiative after the drama I’ve been through, and through the RC Chairman, I’ve raised my interest in joining this their team.
go directly to the commissioner of police, home affairs. bring with you all the evidences. also call the press…the best is NEW PAPER.
Sassyjan: The current commissioner of police going to balik kampung liao. Anyway, some of the dept have been doing a wonderful job of assisting me in the follow up procedures, so I am thankful.
Could be. Maybe they really like the number ‘7′. Might mean something even more than being an unlucky number (since it’s odd), or it could be that they know police patrols are rarer during those hours. Since you now know that police patrols are rarer during those hours, police your own place during those hours.
I’m sure you can get to know some boys from Boy’s Town or Assumption English or something. Befriend those with tattoos especially, and invite them to a food party at 7.
Sassyjan: Funnily, I found out from my RC chairman that we actually have er… (I THINK) Auxiliary guards patrolling my cluster of blocks at 7ish 8ish everyday, so I’m surprised the first paint incident manage to happen around that time. And… I found out police shift work is 8am - 8pm or 8pm to 8am… SO there might be somewhat of a reason for the choiced timing there… or maybe I’m just reading too much into it.
I am very perplexed at your suggestion. Do you suggest I stand outside their school gate with lollipops and lure them to my house for food or… ?
I am not sure if I should say this, however, I do understand your predicament.
First and for most, there is nothing much you can do.
This is due to the fact that:
1. There is a disconnection between the runners who vandalise your home and the actual loansharks, in terms of who actually you talk to, to solve this.
2. You are not a celebrity or someone of importance. thus the seemingly police inaction.
Never ever confront them, period.
It will take a long time and patience and trust with your neighbours; but it can be resolved.
1. Talk to your neighbours, and highlight your problem. Ask them to help call the police if they see anything suspicious. When more people make noise, the complaint will be heard.
2. Install CCTV. Even though they may cover up their faces, it is a message to the runners that they are being watched.
3. Paste a note at your door to them, telling them that whoever they are looking for is no longer around and you do not where he/she is. DO NOT give them a reason why that person is not around. DO NOT try to gain sympathy from them, their job is just to vandalise the home and send the message across.
4. Try to get the media involved. This will ‘force’ our Police to actually do something. On top of that, the runners will know that your home has gotten more attention, which is something they do not need.
5. Sometimes it may seem Police inaction. But actually, they could be quietly surveilling your home to try to catch the vandal. Just be patient.
6. Until, it is resolved; don’t spend the effort to repaint. Though it may look disgusting. Just ensure your home is secure.
Keep your guard up at all times, and don’t give up. It will work out in the end, if you can make yourself heard by the police.
I wish you all the best.
Sassyjan: Thanks dear. Duly noted with appreciation.
And if your dad used to run a painting business, what you can do is to go through his accounts and try to figure out who he might have financed from. I suppose the police are already on something like this, but you could provide them with leads. I doubt, though, that they’d be able to go through the full set of accounts. But if you’re really interested in having this problem go away, go to whoever the business is left with, and go through, for instance, creditor accounts, with him/her. You needn’t worry about ’shooting yourself in the foot’. If your dad really had a debt with them, say that your dad’s passed on, and that the money was not for the business, but for personal use.
Sassyjan: I’ve went through my dad’s mad accounts and nope, I really can’t tell anything. so… dead end there… I did make my mom go call up his business friends/partners though, to let them know what’s happening and that her daughter had made police report, got media attention etc about this issue, so hopefully, if there’s any foul play - which i highly suspect, they would get the message that they are picking on the wrong person.
Perhaps if you tell the police that you will contribute 2K to their station’s canteen fund or sponsor their union activities they will be really on the ball (even when they are off work) to ensure that these Ah Long are caught?
I don’t think this is blackmail right? I call them incentives and demonstration of appreciation
Sassyjan: Hello…
…
…
WHAT THE FUCK?!?!?!!!!
try getting a PI to help you? private investigator? cost a bit but at least with photos of the runners etc u send to TOC and WP and show ur MP and police etc…u have more credibility that indeed u need help
Sassyjan: I should not have to build credibility to get law enforcer’s attention.
Hey there, for what you are going thru with the loan shark thingie, I can very well understand since the same shit happened to my family. So, this is what happened to my youngest brother, he lost his wallet and as a result his IC went missing. Thankfully, we reported to police to get it documented, 2 months later, we got a call from Singtel demanding that we pay back for the phone line that he signed, and then the loanshark came knocking…and so it began a 6 months ordeals for everyone living in the house.
Thankfully, that idiot who stole the wallet was caught, and he confessed to his crime of taking the NRIC to take a loan of $500…I can tell you..stay firm don’t pay them a fucking cent! You never know if they pass on your cases to their fellow loansharks to come harrass you..there’s no proof of loan at all..so think and be really careful.
If you really think that the police is sitting on this, escalate this to Director CID, Commissioner of Police, etc, write to Wong Kan Seng, the people on the ground will sit up and listen if you play tough ball, which you must!
Sassyjan: Er… if doing that is playing tough ball then er… yea, I played tough ball liao. Wah lau, Ah long don’t see IC picture one meh? *peng san*
hi Sassyjan…. DUN give them ANYTHING!!! this happened to me last year… What i did was i called the number and this guy answered and guess what. I purposely piss him off, show them that whatever they do to you, you won’t pay them a single cent. Do not let them know that u’re afraid of them. Be firm…. They are balless people who only dare to hide behind they’re mobile phone. the first time they splashed paint on my door, i left it there for bout 8 months and they it worked, they did not return but my friend kay kiang go and repaint it… sure enough they splash again the next month… i call them up again this time in sounding as if i dun care, told him to splash red instead of black coz CNY is nearing… HAHAHA he was so pissed and kept saying. ‘you watch out, i’ll come again’ and i asked him got catalogue, i wanna choose colour. haha…. he damn tulan….i very song!
Sassyjan:
You want attention, I will post your issue on BodohLand.com
I won’t be surprised someone in the Singapore police is involve?
Oh yea…as always, taking advantage of the weak and when someone is already at an unstable emotional state of mind.
If someone ever do this kind of shit here, I’ll blow their fucking brains off!!
Stand tall and give them shit.
Sassyjan: Hey, as a Singaporean, I am very insulted that you would suggest that ’someone in the Singapore police is involve’ and that they are ‘always taking advantage of the weak’.
Where the fuck did you get that idea from? Seriously… WTF?!
AND!!! I’m NOT ‘already at an unstable emotional state of mind’.
where The Online Citizen or Temasek Review when we really need them? Heh. They should be able to muster enough caring nameless bloggers to watch over your neighbourhood & nab the annoying harasser…
seriously, though, I do hope you too talked to your neighbours & have them to help as much as they can. (Together to catch the rat & hang him upside down with the paints splashed all over him.)
Sassyjan: My RC members have been nothing but helpful, probably at this moment don’t have to go into the extend of rallying for public help yet. Thanks dear.
Believe in the system? I stopped believing in them long long time ago! If you are a guy and has ever serve NS in the army or police, trust me, you will understand why. Allowance only few hundred a month, some more some people come lodge report, saboh you have to stay back write report, answer to superior, delay your knock off/book out timing… you think who will give a damn..!
Sassyjan: … Everyone should take pride in their job. Let alone people who are serving our nation.
Think need to send for motivational talk. I remember when I was undergoing training with SIA, they really instill the sense of pride and the attitude of service that makes us all really convinced that SIA really the best way to fly. The gov should invest in trainers and kits like that. hahahah
Hi Ms,
IF you are really determined to compel the Police to do something, you may consider the following:
1) Get the office address of the IO and go look for him personally and question him how he does his job when he never answers his phone. If he is not around, request to talk to his Supervisor and explain the situation to him.
You MUST remember to make the Police commit on their action plan, ie. when they say they promise to look into your case, you MUST insist on a time frame, say by what day what time they will contact or update you. And remember to tell them if they fail to do that, you will come to their office and look for them again or to talk to their supervisors instead since they can’t resolve the issue. (Though you may not really visit them again. It’s just a scare tactic to make them keen to take up your case.)
The Police are people too. IF you can show them you REALLY mean what you say and you are extremely serious about it, then they will take action. Who wants to receive complaints frequently? It would not be good for their own appraisal reports too.
2) Record the conversations with the Police secretly. This is to protect you in case the IO or Police suddenly say something against you or deny certain things. I still believe the Police are basically good people but better to protect yourself, just in case.
3) Request for the email address of the IO’s supervisor so you may email him/her the progress or promises of the meeting with the IO. He might not want to give you but at least when you ask, he will know he would have to be serious with you.
My observations reveal that the lower rank-and-file of the Police Force are not really good in dealing with sudden situations or scenarios. Do NOT offend or agitate them! You just have to be firm but reasonable, logical and factual when dealing with them. Then they will either listen to you or consult with their supervisors for a decision to be made in your favour.
That’s all for now. Hope my suggestions help.
Sassyjan: Thanks dear. Duly noted with appreciation.
Quite busy this couple of days, but will be checking with the liaison officer who claims speaking to him is as good as speaking to my missing IO soon about some points I raised such as the 2 hp no. used to call me etc.
My heart goes out to you. And hope that your case would be resolved soon.
Same thing happened to me couple of years ago, 2000, a runner came to my house and tell my mom i borrowed $$ which i didn’t of course.
And coincidentally, I went to Singtel to get a new phoneline and was told that i already have 4! so couldn’t get any new lines approved. (all this started from losing an IC)
So managed to get a mailing address of the bill which had been paid as well as the hp number of the runner and the applicant.
10 years later, there are still new cases of people using my identity card for phone applications.
The police had not contacted me for closed to 10 years!!
Sassyjan: WAH LAU! I don’t know what to say *cue crows flying overhead*
Hi,
Do not waste your time with the IO. Just email to the Minister of Home Affairs direct with your problems. I guarantee the police will ‘help’ you immediately.
Works everytime. Just give it a try!!!
Sassyjan: Within the police force there is actually a Service Development and Inspectorate dept which works like a charm. No need to go so far up. Besides, you-know-who does not have that great a track record for… … … ANYWAY, yea.. the SPF’s SDI dept is sufficient I think. Oh! And the MP. Coz nearer to ‘home’, easier for him to help.
Hi. I hope my experience on an unrelated matter can help. The incident was about some youths teasing my race, and wanted to pick a fight with me. I called the police and they brought them to the station for questioning. 2 days later I called to find out what happened, they said the youths were given a warning. I thankd the IO and put down the phone.
Was I satisfied? Of course not. I thought the police sat on their butt and didn’t pursue what was clearly a racially-related threat to me.
I called my lawyer friend about this and he was aghast. He told me do 2 things:
1. Write to the commandant of the station and express my view and consider writing about it to the press and forums. Ask for more action to be taken, as I was under threat to my life.
2. Write to Home Affairs Minister. This I did through my MP first.
What I got to know is there is a system in place, a process to raise your issue if one way does not work. Like you, I believed in the system. If it breaks down, I will look for alternative, but within the due process of law.
Hope this helps.
Sassyjan:
Sorry dear but… without knowing the ins and the outs of the situation, I do not think it is appropriate for me to comment on this matter.
Ghostwriter,
What is the outcome you wanted for your case actually? Jail? Summon? Any witnessess?
How old are the youths? How serious is the teasing?
For racism cases, ISD should be notified but they will not tell you.
Sassyjan: Oh… ISD takes care of racism issues and threats?
simple. POST up the sharks’ hp no. BIG BIG. let ppl harass them back for u.
Sassyjan: Could have repercussions I would rather avoid.
Go to wwww.BodohLand.com and that how I’ll deal with them.
You want me to take care of them ??
Sassyjan: I’m not too sure if I agree with your methods of ‘taking care of’ so… Thanks for the offer, but I’ll leave this in the good hands of my local police whom I still have faith in, for now.
Do you have iphone? If you have, download the app called “mobile track” to track down the loanshark’s location, then tell the police their location.
Just an idea..
Sassyjan: Using BB. But is there really such an app? So scary!
why your house no gate? only doors? I think for your family safety, move to a relatives house temporary.
Sassyjan: That is the sliding door of my front ‘porch’ area. We usually only lock the porch door and don’t lock the gate and main door, but after this incident… lock BIG TIME liao. hahah
put a note. Tell them to stop destroying your stuff and you really want to help. Give them ur no to ask them to call you. Reason with them that you did not borrow the money and they might go away.
Sassyjan: They know how to contact me - My dad’s Hp. We’ve had heated exchange as they completely stupified me and I stooped to exchanging curses because they obviously don’t take reason very well.
And they had better leave me alone now. *ROOOOOAAAAAAR*
WE ARE THE LESSER MORTALS, THE POLICE WILL NOT HELP US WITHOUT THE PRESS GIVING CREDIT.
SO I SUGGEST YOU CONTACT SPH AND THE POLICE TOGETHER.
Sassyjan: Hahahahahah. Some of you can be so irritating.
dun pay the money and write/call the head of the nearest police HQ or CID..it is a mistaken identity as they cannot verify the person who owe them money..do try and get a notice from the police or something and paste it on your door/wall for the time being..
Sassyjan: They got my dad’s name right actually. So yea. *wry smile*
hello.
I somehow stumbled into this webpage.
anyway, i feel really sorry for you.
i know how you feel as my family was harassed by this people before.
Anyway, there is a chance that these “runners” are trying to cheat your 6K.
There is also a possibility that this vandalisms and harassments are not done by loansharks, but someone who knows your dad passed away and is trying to take advantage of the situation.
Tips that may help.
1) do not harass this loanshark/runners. They are big headed and will always want revenge to show their “strength”.
2) Install a CCTV. If it’s too expensive, then get a fake one. Make it Obvious to the runner that you have a “CCTV” near you door. This will make them think twice.
3) Tell them nicely that no matter how much they vandalize and harass, they won’t be able to get any money from you or your family because honestly, you really don’t have the money.
4) Tell them(the runners) that you’ve made a police report and lie to them that the police said that they will take action against the runners.
5) Get a few strong male friends to hang around your block on some days. With luck, the runner might come on a day that you and your friends are hanging out. If it happens, call the Police straight away. Remember how the runner looks like. If the runner is alone and not carrying dangerous weapons, stop him and pin him to the ground till the police arrive.
6) Tell them that you are not stupid enough to fall for their tricks and won’t give them easy money as there is no IOU.
7) Ask a friend to call the runners number using a private number or public phone. Ask them how to get a loan. Make a meeting. Check out how runner looks like. bring plenty of friends that will be well hidden. when runner arrives, whack him good. call the cops.
there might be more tips, but i really don’t know your situation now.
reply via my email as i don’t think i’ll stumble into this page again.
I wish you all the best.
warmest regards.
cesc
i just wanted to say that i really admire your maturity and level-headedness in dealing with this matter. i hope it gets resolved soon and that people will take notice of this case because it does not stand alone.
“Funnily, I found out from my RC chairman that we actually have er… (I THINK) Auxiliary guards patrolling my cluster of blocks at 7ish 8ish everyday, so I’m surprised the first paint incident manage to happen around that time. And… I found out police shift work is 8am - 8pm or 8pm to 8am… SO there might be somewhat of a reason for the choiced timing there… or maybe I’m just reading too much into it.”
“I am very perplexed at your suggestion. Do you suggest I stand outside their school gate with lollipops and lure them to my house for food or… ?”
i doubt if auxiliary police actually do the kind of patrols you mentioned. if they do any kind of patrol at all it’s for very specialized purposes, like trying to locate robbers or syndicates that rob, machines for instance. patrols conducted by the police are general patrols toward maintaining the general peace and order. it’s this form of patrol that you need. if the police shift work plan is 8-8 then perhaps around the time of 7 they would be preparing to hand over to the next team? i’m pretty sure you (and i) are not ‘reading too much’ into it. vandals are pretty observant too. they’ll want to know when to strike, ’cause they don’t want to get caught
i’m sure you know someone who knows someone who knows where to get guys to help out
“I’ve went through my dad’s mad accounts and nope, I really can’t tell anything. so… dead end there… I did make my mom go call up his business friends/partners though, to let them know what’s happening and that her daughter had made police report, got media attention etc about this issue, so hopefully, if there’s any foul play - which i highly suspect, they would get the message that they are picking on the wrong person.”
another ‘lead’ would be your dad’s bank account passbook and transaction records–including those little slips of paper you get when cash is withdrawn from the teller
of course there’s ‘foul play’. when something like this happens, how can there not be foul play? there’s been play most foul. these vandals don’t go whacking on any door, you know? it’s either a relative, family member (including ex-family members), or occupant of the place who’s owed money. part of the onus is on you to establish whether your dad did or did not owe them money. if your dad did, come clean, tell them even that you found out your dad did owe them money–but that you’re not going to do anything about it
There are many ways, they can get the info. about your dad.
One of the tricks of the trade is to look at the obituaries. Then visit the wake. Then glean the info. from the people visiting the wake. They may pose as a distant relative or as a current / former employee or just as a friend.
I understand, there has been some general activity at your home, after you received the attention from the media. You will need to keep this activity ongoing as long as you can. This will keep the runners away from your home but temporarily, until they give up or are caught.
Whatever, the cause of the extortions, it is no longer relevant.
What is relevant:
Your home is more secured;
You stay alert and keep alert; and
Your neighbours are more aware and we hope they are more sensitive to your problem.
But the most important things:
Remember your dad for the good and happy times he has provided you and not because of this unfortunate incident; and
You need to get some semblance of your life back on track. Take nothing for granted, we only live once.
I wish you all the best.
No more updates ? All quiet ?
Eh… Sorry to read about your problem and the tardy response from the police. Well, maybe next time tell them that some opposition people with surname Chee is vandalising your door and I am very sure they will be on your case within 2 mins.
Good luck.
Hi there,
Here I am sitting in my HDB apartment..feeling helpless. I did a search and your website came up. I’m terribly sorry about what had happened to your apt cos I’m going through the same thing. Couple of days ago, my apartment’s gate, door and window was splashed with paint. I believe its the loansharks cos the ex owner of my apartment called me and informed me that he’s having some problem with them and that they refused to believed that he had sold his apartment to me.
Anyway, now that the damage is done, the police told me that this would not end and that they would increase patrol in my area. I’m considering installing a fake CCTV in front of my apartment. I had been advise that CID can’t do much as they themselves were loaded with lots of work. So now I’m considering shifting out of the place even though I’ve only stayed here for 2 years. I wonder what will they do next.
Take care and best regards.
Hi, I have the same issue here. My door and my neighbours door has been splashed with paint again and again. Reported to police they say..Put plastic, CCTV and chime along the corridoor to dect movement.
I thought the police should hold the person who has borrwed the $$ and lock hm up or even make that guy do sentry outside.
Really how irresponsible ppl can be and no one can help.
Has anyone got solution to stop this? The loan shark left some hp no and when my neighbour called the person said..he will strike again!
Its been 3 months since it last happened..no action even it happened again. Who will be a better help, police /IO or MP??
Help!!
Call Police Customer service. I once do that and the police chop chop do all the work.
My house got splashed too..and the best part is the borrower is actually my younger uncle who has never ever stay at my place at all.. felt sorry for my neighbour too..his bedroom window is just next to my front door which those idoits thought it belongs to my unit.. my older uncle contacted my damn bastard younger uncle and ask him to come over to my place to resolve this issue..his reply was: You’re not staying there so what’s your prob.. Loansharks should in fact go after the borrower as they knows who and where is the loansharks whereabout..catching runners won’t help much..
Agree, i worte to the MP. Super fast actions..Cheers!
Hi ther,
My house been splashed with red paints twice.. first time paint on the wall, 2nd time paint on the door lock my gates. twice i reported to the police. best part is me and my husband never borrowed from loan shark before.. i dunno when they’ll come again. i’m so restless and i’m pregnant now!! pls help…
Hi babe,
Came across your website while googling for ‘dealing with loansharks’.
Im the latest victim with it, having parents in overseas and aunt with will come over to stay with me as they threatened to ‘do something’ if i don’t pay up.
Debts come from my uncle who actually used our address as a mean to get money for his business (We didn’t know about it at first). Now, he met with an accident is hospitalised and it becomes our problem.
My mum did pay off few grands but the spoiltshit bloodsuckers are demanding more from us. We made a police report at first, the officer said you still have to pay off because we “OWED” it. The second round we made, the other officer said not to pay up. We informed neighbours already(4 on my level) but no actual mean has been taken from loan sharks yet because we have been paying.
Now, we are penniless with all the debts, they threatened to come, i even saw one man looking outside my flat suspiciously at 1230 am. I called the police but they apparently took a little long to reach. Looking at all the comments did spur my confidence up a little but still, a big sum, not unknowing of its existence.
****Sigh****
Hope everything goes well for you too.