Written Reply to Parliamentary Question on Upstream Action Being Taken Against Illegal Moneylenders to Tackle Cases Concerning Foreign Domestic Workers Who Borrow Funds

Question:

Ms Nadia Ahmad Samdin: To ask the Minister for Home Affairs in view of the rise in illegal moneylending cases concerning foreign domestic workers who borrow funds (a) what upstream action is being taken against illegal moneylenders to tackle such issues; and (b) what recourse is in place to help Singaporeans who are affected by such cases and continue to be harassed.

Answer:

Mr K Shanmugam, Minister for Home Affairs and Minister for Law:

1. We had answered a Parliamentary Question on our efforts to tackle unlicensed moneylending involving foreign domestic workers in May 2024.

2. A person who is harassed by unlicensed moneylenders should make a Police report, or call ‘999’ for cases requiring immediate Police assistance. The Police will not hesitate to take firm enforcement action against unlicensed moneylenders.