Police break up Hong Kong loan shark syndicate that hired teen debt collectors
Police arrest 22 people, including four teenagers hired for up to HK$1,000 per job
A loan shark syndicate recruited young Hongkongers through chat groups to vandalise debtors’ homes with red paint and paid them up to HK$1,000 (US$127) per job, police said on Thursday after arresting 22 people, including key gang members and four teenagers, on suspicion of illegal lending and intimidation.
In an operation conducted between June 16 and Wednesday, police arrested 19 men and three women, aged between 16 and 62, in connection with 29 cases related to illegal debt collection. The cases involved the loan sharks recruiting debt collectors, often youngsters, through agents who used encrypted chat groups.
“It was similar to the operations of a food delivery platform. They would place orders to splash red paint in the group and indicate the districts involved … Interested group members could then take the order,” Tsang Chun-kit, acting deputy district commander of Tseung Kwan O, said on Thursday.
Tsang said the agents required individuals to take photos to prove they had completed their job, before paying them HK$500 to HK$1,000 per order.
“This convenient model can attract a lot of young people who wish to make quick money,” Tsang said.
“We caution them against taking part in illegal debt collection activities for making quick money.”
The force said that the loan sharks targeted people facing financial difficulties, telling them they would not have to submit proof of their income to take out a loan. Five residents took up the offer, each borrowing amounts ranging from HK$25,000 to HK$120,000.