Suspected loan shark arrested in Brent

A woman was arrested on suspicion of illegal money lending, assault and money laundering offences following an operation in the London borough of Brent.

The England Illegal Money Lending Team (IMLT) worked in partnership with officers from Metropolitan Police to execute a warrant at an address in the area on Tuesday 18th April 2023.  Officers seized electronic devices and paperwork during a search of the property.

The suspect was taken into custody and then released under investigation.

The IMLT works in partnership with Brent Council Trading Standards to investigate and prosecute illegal money lenders.

Tony Quigley, Head of the Illegal Money Lending Team said: “Illegal money lending will not be tolerated and we will continue to work with our partners to take action against those who blight our communities in this way.

“If you have been offered a cash loan, threatened when you couldn’t pay, had your bank card taken from you as security or if what you owe keeps growing even though you are making payments, then you may well have been bitten by a loan shark.

“If you, or anyone you know, has experienced any of these things or has any knowledge of loan shark activities then contact our team in complete confidence. We will help you escape the clutches of these ruthless criminals.”

Councillor Harbi Farah, Brent Council’s Cabinet Member for Safer Communities and Public Protection, said: “Being in the grasp of an illegal loan shark is a very dangerous place to be in and that is why it is so important that we work to take them off our streets. If you or anyone you know are affected by illegal loan sharks contact Stop Loan Sharks 24.7 number in confidence on 0300 555 2222, don’t suffer in silence.”