SINGAPORE - A 39-year-old man was arrested for suspected loanshark harassment of vehicle owners in Woodlands and Yishun.

The police said on Friday that they received reports between July 21 and July 30 of vehicles parked at carparks in the two estates that had been splashed with red paint, and discovered debtors notes.

Officers from the Criminal Investigation Department identified the man and he was arrested on Thursday afternoon at Admiralty Link. He is believed to be responsible for targeting seven vehicles. The police also seized mobile phones and a notebook believed to contain debtors' records.

If found guilty of acting on behalf of an unlicensed moneylender and committing or attempting to commit any acts of harassment, he may be jailed for up to five years, fined between $5,000 and $50,000 and receive between three and six strokes of the cane.