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SINGAPORE: More youths are being drawn into becoming loanshark runners. Counsellors said this is because more youngsters are borrowing money to gamble and are often forced to become runners when they can't pay their debts.
Wong Kee Soon, youth counsellor, said: “Those online gambling sites owned by loansharks, they loan you S$1,000 and say you can bet, and if you win you keep the money. But if you lose then that's when they come chasing you about your debt.”
Counsellors said most of these cases are the result of teenagers spending too much money at nightspots or gaming arcades.
They then turn to gambling hoping it can be a source of income.
Counsellors also said loansharks prefer targeting youths because they are often unaware of the harsh penalties imposed for carrying out illegal debt collection activities or "loansharking".
Loanshark runners often harrass three households per night and can earn hundreds of dollars for each run.
But many are unaware they are being watched.
In the first half of this year, some 81 youths were arrested for loansharking activities.
That's almost four times the number arrested in the same period last year.
Recent police statistics said one in five arrested for loansharking were youths.
Those under 16 caught for such offences can face a fine of S$40,000 or a three-year jail term or both. - CNA/vm
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