Residents of Eastwood Terrace harassed by loan sharks

[Cao Pi]

Residents of Eastwood Terrace harassed by loan sharks
By Evelyn Choo | Posted: 26 June 2010 2240 hrs
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SINGAPORE: A private estate has become the latest target of loan sharks. Eight units at Eastwood Terrace in Bedok were vandalised in what's believed to be the first reported case of loan shark harassment at a private estate.

42-year-old American, Wesley Heiser, was eager to move in to his new place at Eastwood Terrace until vandals crept into the district and left a mess.

The resident at Eastwood Terrace said: "My wife and I decided to make Singapore our permanent home and so we made our first home purchase. The purchase was completed two days ago. Within the past two days, the house has been painted twice and we didn't know that the seller had owed money to illegal moneylenders."

Bags of red paint were splashed at neighbouring houses and cars. The vandals left notes all over the road which read "Because of her, this happened". Neighbours said this isn't the first time the unit has been vandalised.

Jasmine Siew, immediate neighbour of Mr Heiser, said: "Two or three days back, while we were driving out, we saw this bag of paint at our new neighbour's house. So we were quite puzzled." Residents are taking no risks. One unit even installed security cameras.

James Yap, resident, Eastwood Terrace, said: "If nobody were to create a deterrent for them, then definitely they'll get bolder. Because if they see you have touched up your place and made good again, then they'll come again.

“So for us, there's only so much we can do to protect ourselves. Short of hiring a security guard in front of our house, we are but sitting ducks and waiting for them to abuse us."

Neighbours described the previous owners to be cold and inconsiderate. Some had made complaints to the Police about their noisy mahjong activities in the night. Residents said they often saw a middle-aged woman, her husband, and two men in their twenties in the house.

They also had three cars which residents said were often indiscriminately parked." Ms Siew added: "I think it's very unfair to all of us especially to the new neighbour because they just bought the house without knowing anything about the old neighbour. And for us, we are not very close to the old neighbour so we couldn't contact her at all."

Police have been notified of the incident and are investigating the matter. - CNA/vm