Cops raid loan firm for client harassment

MANILA, Philippines (Updated July 23, 2:02 p.m.) — Operatives of the police Anti-Cybecrime Group led by ACG director Brig. Gen. Bowenn Joey Masauding raided the office of the Populus Lending Corp. Friday at around 3 p.m.

The operation stemmed from customer complaints about the threats they have been receiving from the company for not being able to pay their debts.

The company’s employees allegedly shame their clients by sending messages with profanities against them.

“When they are unable to pay, they are threatened and shamed,” Masauding said in Filipino during an ABS-CBN interview on Friday night.

The ACG said some of the 117 arrested employees were caught typing obscene messages on their workstations.

The company’s employees face charges of violation of Republic Act 10175 or the Cybercrime Prevention Act.

ACG spokesperson Lt. Michelle Sabino said the lending firm could also be held liable for violation of Republic Act 10173 or the Data Privacy Act.

Sabino said the company, through its lending app, obtains the contacts of their clients who are unable to pay their debts.

“The firm harasses the contacts of clients because they are unable to pay,” she said in the same television interview.

A security official who spoke on condition of anonymity said in an interview the lending firm demands 100-percent interest for one year, making it difficult for their clients to settle their financial obligations.