88-year-old among 92 people under investigation for alleged unlicensed moneylending activities
A total of 92 individuals, aged between 18 and 88, are being investigated by the police for their alleged involvement in unlicensed moneylending activities.Police said on Thursday (Nov 5) evening that officers from the Criminal Investigation Department and seven police land divisions conducted an an islandwide enforcement operation from Oct 26 to 30.Preliminary investigations revealed that nine people had allegedly harassed debtors at their residences, while 38 others were runners who assisted in unlicensed moneylending activities by carrying out ATM transfers.Also under investigation are 43 individuals who are believed to have opened bank accounts and provided their ATM cards, personal identification numbers as well as internet banking tokens to unlicensed moneylenders to facilitate their illegal operations.One person, who purportedly provided his mobile numbers to unlicensed moneylenders, and another person who operated as an unlicensed money lender, are also being investigated.Police investigations against all 92 individuals are ongoing.