Don’t fall prey to loan apps, says Mangaluru police chief

Ganesh Mavanji | NT

Bengaluru: Mangaluru Commissioner of Police N Shashi Kumar has asked the public not to use China based ‘loan apps’ claiming that users of such apps are being cheated.

Addressing reporters at his office on Wednesday he revealed that Sushant Kumar, a resident of Kulai in Suratkal had committed suicide owing to the mental harassment by the operators of a loan app, a couple of days ago.

“Over 600 China based loan apps are available in ‘Play Store’ and it imposes various conditions when users download it from Play Store. If the user clicks the button ‘OK’, then the operators are allowed to get the user’s contacts, photos, videos among other personal details. These loan apps provides loans to its users to the tune of Rs 3,000 to Rs 6,000. After providing loans, they imposes 30 to 70 per cent interest for even negligible loans. If the user refuses to repay the amount with interest, then they blackmail them using their personal details. Such apps don’t have approval from anybody including RBI. Hence, the public should not fall prey to such loan apps,” he added.

It may be noted that 26 year old Sushant Kumar had committed suicide at his office and left behind a death note wherein he mentioned the loan app and alleged that that he was forced to take such an extreme step due to harassment. After an investigation, the police confirmed that his death was due to the loan app.