The National Migration Institute (INM) is working with the Guanajuato state government to deport Colombians without legal residency who engage in violent loan collection, reported Governor Libia García Muñoz Ledo.
“This has been an issue we have been addressing with the National Migration Institute, because many times, without stigmatizing any nationality, we know that foreigners are participating in these types of loans,” she stated.
The Secretariat of Security and Peace is conducting intelligence work to locate and dismantle criminal groups of foreigners engaged in usury and intimidation, she commented.
“We are also working on filing complaints in cases where people want to do so, who have felt intimidated, threatened, harassed, or violated by these types of groups,” she emphasized.
The governor urged Guanajuato residents not to be “hooked” by Colombian loan sharks who, at first glance, appear to offer affordable loans, but ultimately pose a security problem.
“We are putting a lot of emphasis on ensuring that people can approach institutions, including government programs that generate this type of support,” she recommended.
By applying for a loan at financial or government institutions, they avoid falling into the hands of criminals who take advantage of their needs and put families’ safety at risk.
“We have support within the financial institution, and assistance ranging from 7,000 pesos for entrepreneurs, and then they can begin applying for loans to start their businesses and support their families’ finances, with loans that can reach up to 3 million pesos,” she revealed.
It is worth mentioning that workers at businesses located on Miguel Alemán Avenue, in downtown León, have reported being victims of Colombian loan sharks.
They receive quick loans that take time to collect, but by the time the first payments are due, the interest is already very high.
So far this year, the León Security Secretariat has arrested three Colombian loan sharks.
During the same period, the Guanajuato Municipal Security Secretariat arrested 11 Colombians engaged in lending money under the scheme known as “gota a gota.”
Source: jornada
