SINGAPORE – A 43-year-old domestic worker was charged in court on Wednesday (28 February) for helping unlicensed moneylenders post advertisements on TikTok.
Local media outlet CNA reported that Indonesian citizen Ida Yuliati was charged under the Moneylenders Act for assisting unlicensed moneylenders in their business.
She expressed her intention to plead guilty in court, but claimed she did not know she had borrowed money from unlicensed moneylenders.
TikTok used for alleged loan shark activities
According to CNA, Ida allegedly helped loan sharks by posting 20 loan ads on TikTok between June 14 and 25 last year on Wilkinson Road.
Criminal investigation officers identified her after investigating over ten reports about her TikTok account between June and August 2023, police said on Tuesday (February 27).
Police said anyone associated with loan sharks would face the full force of the law, regardless of their involvement.
If found guilty of conducting or aiding and abetting illegal money lending, first-time offenders face up to four years in prison, fines of between $30,000 and $300,000, and up to six lashes.
In addition, migrant workers who have helped or borrowed money from illegal moneylenders face deportation and a ban on working in Singapore.
Police work with Ministry of Labor and others to train migrant workers
The police are working with the Ministry of Labour and other non-governmental organisations to educate migrant workers about the “serious consequences of engaging in unlicensed money lending activities”.
Employers of foreign domestic workers can help them by reminding them to stay away from and not do business with unlicensed moneylenders.
Members of the public who suspect or are aware of loan sharking activities can call the police on 999 or the X-Ah-Long hotline on 1800-924-5664.
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