16-year-old among 91 investigated for unlicensed moneylending activities; more than half allegedly money mules
A total of 91 individuals are being investigated for their suspected involvement in unlicensed moneylending activities, with more than half of them alleged to be money mules.The suspects, aged between 16 and 77, are being probed following an operation that took place from Oct 27 to 31 — during which officers from the Criminal Investigation Department and Police land divisions conducted raids islandwide, said the police on Monday (Nov 10).Preliminary investigations revealed that 10 of these people had allegedly harassed debtors at their residences, while 29 of them are believed to have assisted in unlicensed moneylending activities by carrying out ATM transfers.The remaining 52 individuals are suspected to have facilitated unlicensed moneylending activity by opening bank accounts as well as providing their ATM cards, Personal Identification Numbers and/or Internet Banking tokens.Investigations against all 91 individuals are ongoing.