Loan Sharking

The practice of making illegal loans, usually by charging an extraordinarily high interest rate. For example, a loan shark may lend $1000 at a 2000% annualized interest rate, which is against the law in most states. Loan sharks are not financial institutions; indeed they often "collateralize" their loans with threats of violence. Loan sharking often is associated with organized crime. See also: Usury.

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References in periodicals archive

Loan sharking syndicates usually profile foreign victims by pretending to be casino players.

The loan sharking group then brings the victim to a hotel room where he or she may be tortured before being ransomed off.

PNP targets 2nd loan shark gang in casinos

"There already are criminal laws against loan sharking, but proving it is the big problem because people are too ashamed or intimidated to go to the police.

VERMIN; Liddell backs Record campaign to shut down evil loan sharks

"The North East is a hotspot for illegal loan sharking and the team have been highly effective, having identified 1,083 illegal lenders and saved borrowers more than pounds 2m.

MP:This is simply a Tory cut too far; Plot to axe North East loan shark investigation unit

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