Collection

The loan apps taking advantage of people worldwide

From Kenya and Nigeria to India to Mexico, predatory loan apps are accessing customers’ contacts list and sending embarrassing messages to their friends and family.

Illustration of debtor in stocks humiliated in public

Features 26 May 2020

This lending app publicly shames you when you’re late on loan payment

Okash, a popular fintech app in Kenya and Nigeria, threatens users to notify everyone on their contact list when you fall behind on your loan payments.

By Morris Kiruga

Money 27 January 2021

Debt and shame via Google Play

Illegal loan apps operating in the Google Play store have been harassing and publicly shaming Indian borrowers.

By Nilesh Christopher

A man walks past a promotional banner showing a photograph of a pile of Nigerian naira along a road in Lagos.

Tech Giants 28 April 2023

Nigerians blackmailed by loan apps are plotting revenge in Facebook groups

Rest of World tracked 11 Facebook groups with members who wanted to get back at loan companies for “debt shaming.”

By Sekinat Motunrayo Ojeniyi

12th July, 2012. An operator of one of the bank agency kiosks own by Taiwan Iredeji Adedotun at his community in Ota, Ogun State, Nigeria is counting cash to be disbursed to a customer.

Money 27 October 2022

Loan apps ruined their reputations. A shady online market offered to repair them

In Nigeria, a gray market has emerged to defend against predatory loan apps that publicly shame people who can’t pay.

By Olatunji Olaigbe

Tech Giants 22 January 2024

Predatory loan apps are thriving in the Google Play store, despite ban

Google says it takes the problem seriously, but over a dozen loan apps remain available in the store.

By Daniela Dib and Matheus Andrade