Tag Archives: Eduardo Apáez

11Aug/22

Scam loan apps extorting Mexicans thrive in Google Play Store

  • Menacing messages, threats spiral along with debt
  • Legal loophole creates Wild West for lending apps
  • Complaints mount but regulators powerless to act

By Diana Baptista and Avi Asher -Schapiro

MEXICO CITY, Aug 11 (Thomson Reuters Foundation) – A week after Pedro Figueroa borrowed 10,000 pesos ($500) from José Cash, a popular Mexican lending app, the barrage of online abuse began.

A slew of WhatsApp messages swamped his phone, threatening harm – to him and his reputation – if he did not pay. Continue reading