Investigations into illegal digital loan platforms have gained momentum in Kozhikode district after police received fresh evidence pointing to organized cyber extortion networks operating behind alleged loan applications. One of the latest complaints, filed by a resident of Moozhikkal, highlights the long-term harassment faced by victims who fall prey to offers of quick money from such digital traps.
According to the complainant, Manu Suvarnan, he was compromised for more than a year after downloading the mobile app. He alleged that the operators of the Hindi-speaking apps had access to sensitive data from his phone, including his contact list and personal photos, which were later manipulated and circulated among his acquaintances. He said the doctored data was used to intimidate and force people to pay exorbitant amounts.
Police said the information shared by the complainant was analyzed by the cyber crime investigation team to identify the persons behind these anonymous online operations. Special forces in Kozhikode city and rural jurisdictions added that several complaints were handled with strict confidentiality to avoid alerting the accused or jeopardizing the investigation.
“We have sought the help of specialized agencies at the state and national levels to widen the investigation. Initial findings suggest that many of the victims are students and young professionals who turned to quick online loans during financial crises,” said a senior cyber cell official associated with the investigation. He added that many of them faced harassment, including threats and public shaming, for using stolen personal information.
In a related development, police linked the recent cases from north Kerala to a wider pattern of coercion, citing the disappearance of a youth from Vadakara, who was later traced, as an example of the kind of psychological coercion sharks can exert on borrowers. Officials also said that lenders continue to demand excessive interest payments even after borrowers repay their loans in installments.
Officials from cyber police stations in Kozhikode district said that borrowers were duped to a large extent by aggressively promoted campaigns of unknown lenders on social media. They pointed out that a lack of awareness of privacy and digital security further increases the risk of abuse, along with a reluctance to consult financial professionals.
“Loan apps are designed to gain extensive access to users’ mobile data at the time of installation. Once access is granted, operators can extract private files and use them as leverage in case of late payments,” warned a cyber security expert from the Kerala Police Cyberdome. “Later, we see aggressive collection tactics, including threats, slander and repeated intimidation, that push borrowers to extreme measures,” he added.
According to officials with the cyber cell, there has been an increase in the number of people using the cybercrime helpline (1930) to report their complaints quickly. Immediate reporting of such incidents will help police gather concrete evidence and identify those behind them, they said.
Published – 06 May 2026 19:55 IST
