SURIN, June 17 (TNA) – Nineteen members of the notorious
loan sharks gang have been arrested in Surin for charging over 300 percent
interest rate per year from poor debtors.
The loan sharks gang known as “helmet gang” preys on people
in the northeastern province, making profits from interest and seizing
properties that borrowers place as collateral.
Police said borrowers from three districts had been harassed
by the gang.
After arresting the 19 gang members, police also confiscated
10 vehicles, dozens of mobile phones, loan contracts and cash worth around 600,000
baht.
Thai police and law enforcement agencies have tried to ease
the plight of debtors who have fallen victim to loan sharks for years.
In some cases, the debtors settle their debts with
moneylenders while many others get their properties back from loan sharks who
charge higher interest rates.(TNA)
