Many people have faced inconveniences due to online lending companies operating in the country without obtaining the permission to give loans using internet or telephone, as stipulated by the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) in 2019.

“Though online transactions are possible under the Electronic Transactions Act, compliance with the CBSL circular is mandatory for lending”

It has now been revealed that most of the lending companies have obtained company registration in Sri Lanka as a Sri Lankan company, but their parent companies are operating from overseas.

Accordingly, economic experts pointed out that online loans will add more pressure on the country which is already going through an economic crisis.

The reason for this is that the amount deposited at these institutions that exploit the customers on 50% or 100% interest, ends up in another country.

Since none of these institutions have been registered with the CBSL, the source of origin of the money earned by the companies and where the amount ends up remain a question.

Doubts have also been raised whether a part of this money is used to fund the underworld and drug dealers.

What does the Cyber Crime Unit say?

The Cyber Crime Unit of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) said that those who are facing inconveniences due to the actions, pressures and other intimidations caused by these institutions can complain to the police in their jurisdiction.

Online lenders impersonate police officers

Meanwhile, these institutions are also carrying out a campaign of intimidation by sending fake messages saying that there are police complaints against the borrowers.

It has now been revealed that these groups also receive the support of corrupt police officers.

Below is an SMS with a fake complaint number sent by one such company.

Online loans that lead to conflicts between countries

Meanwhile, Indian media reported that the police investigating the suicide of a family of four in Kerala, India, have turned their attention to a group operating from Sri Lanka that gives instant loans online.

Below is a report published on the incident.

On September 12, 39-year-old Nijo, his wife Shilpa (32)  died by suicide and their bodies were found at home. Their children Abel (7) and Aaron (5) were killed by suffocation. 

The investigation took a turn when the police found the number used to send obscene pictures of one of the deceased to his relatives.

“During the investigation, we realized that Shilpa had obtained loans from online lending institutions. She had difficulty repaying them. Later, these companies resorted to sending obscene messages to Shilpa and their relatives. When we looked at that mobile phone number, we realized that it was registered in Sri Lanka. In fact, those groups have been operating from Sri Lanka,” said an Indian police spokesperson.

Diplomatic sources said that this situation can affect the goodwill between the countries as well.

We will make a full disclosure about these companies including their boards of directors in the future.