Andhra Pradesh police prepare SOPs for investigation of cases

Vijayawada: The State police have prepared the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to be followed for investigation of instant online loan application frauds and the cases of harassment, intimidation by the agents of the microfinance companies.

The police have responded very quickly to some complaints received in the State on the microfinance companies, which are harassing the customers for delay in payment of loans. These companies are not following the RBI norms and have been using fake applications to give loans at high interest rates and collecting money. The police identified that nearly 30 instant online apps/companies are giving loans to the customers without collecting documents and proofs.

These unauthorised microfinance companies are following, threatening and harassing the customers for the late repayment of loans. The police has initiated measures to protect the customers from the harassment of these unauthorised micro finance companies.

Director General of Police D Gautam Sawang told the media during the annual press conference at the State police office on Wednesday that the police received 20 complaints from people and started the investigation.

He said the SOPs to be followed by the police to deal with online instant loan fraud/harassment cases were sent to all police stations. He said the police will book cases under section 509,354 ©, 354 (D), IPC and section 66 (E) IT Act on the recovery agents of the finance companies for following, harassing, continuous calling and blackmailing of customers when there is a delay in repayment of loan taken by woman customers.

The DGP said the police will book cases on microfinance companies for not using proper payment practices as prescribed by the government or the Reserve Bank of India and the payment loan giving apps operate without proper documents.

Sawang said cases can be booked under Ombudsman scheme for Digital Transactions, 2019 Chapter IV, Section 8 (Complaint Redressal System).