The Police have issued an advisory on May 6 to warn members of the public of fake job advertisements posted by unlicensed moneylenders, also known as loan sharks.

These fake job postings are related to Covid-19 and are posted on social media and online marketplaces.

Four men and two women under investigation

According to the news release, four men and two women, aged between 20 and 45, under investigation for separate cases of loan shark harassment are found to be recruited by these fake Covid-19 related job advertisements.

The six of them had responded to fake online job offers advertised on Carousell to be a ‘Stay Home Personnel Checker’ who enforces Covid-19 Stay Home Notices.

They were offered a wage of S$14 per hour or S$190 per day.

However, they were actually recruited by loan sharks to harass debtors through delivering harassment notes or conducting fake Covid-19 home surveys.

The six of them have not received any payment.

Beware of such listings and do not work with loan sharks

The Police also remind members of the public to be careful when taking up part-time jobs.

Additionally, members of the public are advised not to work with or assist loan sharks in any other way.

If convicted of assisting in the business of unlicensed moneylending, first-time offenders may be fined between S$30,000 and S$300,000, jailed for up to four years, and caned up to six strokes.

If you suspect or know of anyone who could be involved in illegal loansharking activities, you are advised to call the Police at ‘999’ or the X-Ah Long hotline at 1800-924-5664.

Top image via Singapore Police Force and SingPost