When people look like criminals, they get identified and arrested fast because everyone can remember their felonious faces.

But when people look like normal everyday folks, they get identified and arrested even faster because no one expects such people to commit crimes.

And that is exactly what happened to a suspected loan shark runner who looks like your mother.

Arrested in two days

A 62-year-old woman was arrested by the police within two days of putting up her smiley face and appealing the public for information.

The arrest occurred on Wednesday, Oct 10, for her suspected involvement in a case of loan shark harassment.

The police said a report was lodged on Thursday, Oct. 4, about a loan shark harassment case.

The case

The main gate of a residential unit in Fernvale Street was locked with a bicycle lock and a debtor note was pasted on it.

Sengkang Neighbourhood Police Centre then put up a Facebook post on Monday appealing for information about the case.

Officers from Ang Mo Kio Police Division investigated the matter.

They were able to identify the suspect via closed-circuit television cameras and police cameras.

The woman's smiling face and casual demeanour caught the Singapore public's attention after the police said publicly they were looking for the woman.

She is expected to be charged in court on Friday.

Penalty

Those found guilty of loan shark harassment can be fined between S$5,000 and S$50,000, if they are first-time offenders.

If convicted, they can also be jailed for up to five years and be caned up to six strokes.

Those exempted from caning, such as women, may face other penalties in lieu of caning, such as serving additional jail time.

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Call police for help

The police advised members of the public to stay away from loan sharks, and refrain from working with or assisting loan sharks in any way.

The public can call the police on 999 or the X-Ah Long hotline on 1800-924-5664 if they suspect or know of anyone who could be involved in illegal loan shark activities.

When loan sharks look like your relatives: