Upstream Actions against Illegal Moneylenders Targeting Foreign Domestic Workers and Recourse for Affected Singaporeans

12 Ms Nadia Ahmad Samdin asked 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.

Mr K Shanmugam: We had answered a Parliamentary Question on our efforts to tackle unlicensed moneylending involving foreign domestic workers in May 2024. [Please refer to "Harassment of Migrant Domestic Workers' Employers by Moneylenders", Official Report, 7 May 2024, Vol 95, Issue 135, Written Answers to Questions for Oral Answer not Answered by End of Question Time section.]

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.