Rising Threat: The Digital Evolution of 'Ah Longs' and Its Troubling Impact

In a disturbing trend, illegal moneylenders in Singapore, known as "Ah Longs," are adopting new digital tactics to coerce repayment from borrowers, leading to collateral damage for unsuspecting individuals and businesses. Mr. Alan, a strategic consultant, found himself inundated with relentless calls from loan sharks after his employee listed him as a guarantor without consent, prompting him to take swift action to protect his company's reputation. This incident, while not unique, highlights the invasive methods employed by Ah Longs, including harassment of employers and leveraging social media to shame debtors.

Meanwhile, Mr. Sebastian Pereira, a delivery rider, encountered a different tactic when he unwittingly became entangled in a loan-shark scam disguised as a food delivery order. His experience underscores the insidious reach of these lenders, who use unsuspecting individuals to unwittingly further their schemes. As such incidents become more prevalent, the community is left grappling with the implications of these evolving tactics and the measures needed to combat them effectively.

The growing digitalization of loan shark operations poses a serious threat to Singapore's social fabric, requiring heightened vigilance and collaborative efforts from authorities and businesses alike to safeguard individuals and businesses from these predatory practices.

It's another form of harassment because loan sharks themselves don't want to be caught. Tactics like paint and graffiti can lead to arrests, but with food delivery, it's hard to trace who they are," explained Mr. Pereira. During the COVID-19 circuit breaker in April 2020, Singaporean police issued a warning highlighting the increasing use of food delivery services by unlicensed moneylenders to harass debtors. Instances included late-night orders for large amounts of food.

Ms. Ika Lestari experienced prolonged harassment after her former domestic helper borrowed money from illegal moneylenders. Over two months, she received threatening calls and messages, primarily from Malaysian numbers, including threats to burn down her house. The intimidation escalated when harassers sent raw pork via cash-on-delivery orders through Foodpanda and Grab. Despite blocking numerous numbers, the loan sharks persisted by tracking her through social media. They even sent her screenshots of her public photos with messages like "Is this you?" and threatened to visit her home after being blocked.

Ms. Ika filed multiple police reports during the ordeal, which eventually ended three months later in April, after she blocked all contacts and installed CCTV at her front door for security.

These incidents illustrate the alarming evolution of tactics used by illegal moneylenders, known as "Ah Longs," to intimidate and harass borrowers and their associates. From exploiting food delivery services to leveraging social media for threats and surveillance, these criminals continue to adapt their methods, posing significant challenges to law enforcement and the community. The experiences of individuals like Mr. Pereira and Ms. Ika underscore the urgent need for enhanced vigilance and robust measures to combat such predatory behavior effectively. As Singapore grapples with these evolving threats, collective efforts are crucial to safeguarding individuals and businesses from the insidious reach of loan sharks and ensuring a safer environment for all.