Data on loanshark harassment cases in 2025 and effectiveness of anti-harassment hotline and community watch schemes

Question:

Mr Jackson Lam: To ask the Senior Minister, Coordinating Minister for National Security and Minister for Home Affairs (a) how many loanshark harassment cases were recorded in 2025; and (b) whether the Ministry has assessed the effectiveness of the anti-harassment hotline and community watch schemes in deterring such activities.

Answer:

Mr K Shanmugam, Senior Minister, Coordinating Minister for National Security and Minister for Home Affairs:

1. There were 3,172 cases of unlicensed moneylending harassment reported in 2025.

2. The number of unlicensed moneylending cases has decreased by 73% between 2011 and 2025, which reflects the overall effectiveness of Police’s measures over this period, including the islandwide deployment of Police Cameras to deter crime. The Ministry has not conducted studies on the effect of specific initiatives in deterring unlicensed moneylending harassment activities.