The Trap: Inside the blackmail scam destroying lives across India - BBC World Service Documentaries

[@snehark8797]

The guy Rohan is really great, he didn't let the evil consume him he stood for his morals. Thank you so much beother

[@Nerinav1985]

Salute to the lady for her courage to speak openly of her ordeal. Tears rolling down her face as she speaks. In a judgmental society like south Asia, telling truth to media is Praiseworthy.

[@sgtneosphere173]

As a former victim of Chinese loan apps, I am very grateful to you for comprehensively covering this widespread issue! Thank you!

[@BBCWorldService]

Thank you for sharing!

[@Samurai-ke5ie]

What’s the point of emphasizing on Chinese Apps when everything is taking place in India, by Indian, to the Indian .

[@rmotfamily9846]

the easy loan approval itself with hardly any verification etc should alert people that these apps are scams which shouldn't even be there under Google, Apple, etc (it's not just scamming but paedophilia which are criminal issues in many nations where the scammers would need to be jailed for those too). unfortunately, many Indians by nature fall for these loans due to greed and sometimes desperation too where many I guess want to live above their means too. unfortunately, corruption and scamming have been part of the Indian blood (yes, corruption exists worldwide though India is 1 of the world leaders for scamming while amongst developed nations, only USA is amongst the world leaders for scamming)

[@shubhamnarayan2077]

@@Samurai-ke5ie Didn't you watch the video, they are funded by chinese enterprises. Exactly same thing played out in china, this is the reason why India banned more than 100 chinese funded apps. Most of them were loan apps.

[@sgtneosphere173]

@@shubhamnarayan2077 - I don't think, he did.

[@earlgreco8636]

I commend BBC and its staff for reporting such abuse and making the public aware.

[@julieemery8963]

That makes a change for the BBC, normally they cover up, their dirty dealings anyway!!

[@mosesstevens3214]

Finally someone Came forward and covered this filthy scam . Hats off to BBC. Huge Respect

[@Mike-rw1jw]

all the scam call centers grew exponentially after 2014 to become a full-fledged industry. initially they were targeting elderly citizen of US UK canada... now they are targeting within India this is modi''s gujarat model of development

[@krunalparikh8535]

BBC is not doing a charity.. Wake up to reality of where BBC is from.. Wake up honey!

[@SurrealExposure12]

@@krunalparikh8535where is cricket from?

[@roger_melly5025]

Another sensitive Indian 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣@@krunalparikh8535

[@umeshsalve4385]

Yes they scam is real but they have played a skit this are not real victims or scammers, even Indian media has covered this way long back and the govt have taken actions on those apps this were Chinese financial companies who were giving a small loans and charging huge interests and once the customers pays they were used ask for more and blackmail them by editing the photo. Majority of this victims were from AP, and other rural areas.

[@ashwynspeaks]

As an Indian, this is where Indian media and BBC differ. Kudos to the entire BBC team!

[@stanjanab]

Bhakt being Bhakt. You're just so blind, focus on the story. @@PatelKhushbu011

[@sys9208]

​@@PatelKhushbu011lol chapri hindi media..

[@suipsy1]

BBC or any other media..these companies should be shut and people responsible punished severely

[@mangopudding5979]

Lo w IQ leftist sc um. BBC is well known for its lies and propaganda.

[@mangopudding5979]

​@@sys9208kam akal BBC is well known for its lies and propaganda same goes for other western media.

[@MrBigBlaster001]

By exposing these heinous instant loan app terrorists ,you have saved millions of innocents in future ,a million thanks to you BBC

[@bigbarry8343]

can't all apps, including games, do that? you give them permission to access to your phone data in exchange for free games.

[@neecii]

​@@bigbarry8343But the differences is this loan apps terrorist the victims till the point of taking one's own life.

[@amitthackrey5152]

Loan should be made for free for all Indians period ! Modiji should take a firm stand.

[@bigbarry8343]

@@amitthackrey5152 why only indians? are you a racist, sir?

[@amitthackrey5152]

@@bigbarry8343 Why should free loan be given only to Pakistanis ? we also have a right for free loan from China period !

[@apnadesh9477]

Proud to have brave Journalist and Rohan like Indians.

[@EE-uj6tw]

I thought they were Indian?

[@gaurav795]

This is called as investigative journalism! Hats of BBC for doing such a brilliant documentary. An eye opener for Indian television media.

[@nocompulsioninlove2148]

Indian media is sleeping.....Digital India

[@Jams90.]

Step 1: make a fake account. Step 2: take out loan from scam app. Step 3: be happy! Step 4: repeat.

[@nocompulsioninlove2148]

@@Jams90. linked to social security and bank accounts not easy

[@Jams90.]

@@nocompulsioninlove2148 @22:18. My friend, Now is not the time to cry. Now is the time to get back at them. A man who has nothing to lose is the most dangerous person in the world when he puts his mind to it.

[@hariharasudhanramajayan245]

😆 🤣 😂 india media is sold already

[@baqirhemraj7639]

Brave woman to have come forward to tell her story of abusive and dirty loan sharks in India. Why the police and the Indian government not doing anything to stop this malpractice?

[@Rajesh-is2xh]

Why do you think we are not doing anything? These people are so wide spread and work in random manner that it becomes extremely difficult to predict their behaviour, common public is also involved in these things, who are situated very far apart from each other and are using various methods to mask themselves, still authorities are working day and night and we have uprooted plethora of them, it's a tedious and time consuming process but rest assured we are working tirelessly on this.

[@baqirhemraj7639]

@@Rajesh-is2xh Still more could be done to ensure culprits are apprehended. Police employed should be competent and need more resources to ensure they are one step ahead of criminals. No crime should be treated as big or small and they should all be investigated thoroughly.

[@ngindia]

some issues including political scams , loan scams like this , religious riots , corruption in public servants + political leaders + corporates , bad loans given and wiped out to leading corporates , land scams , inflation , poor law and order and bad judiciary system in India remains there with no change in the country as Indian government and judiciary do not want to change it may be , as it benefits them too hence let the people suffer , die , be depressed or cry no action at all .

[@grapeshott]

RBI has done some things

[@baqirhemraj7639]

@@ngindia Voters should not vote for corrupt politicians and voters should ensure that through their representatives tough laws are enacted to combat corruption of any kind. The government and judicial system need to change for the better if India has to progress and not stagnate economically in the 21st century.

[@drklawz9179]

Mad respect to the guy who went under cover to video the whole operation. He didn't have to. He knew what these people are capable of, but bro still went not once, but multiple times to two places just to let people know what's going on.

[@SkinniJ]

Yup, had the camera been expose that would’ve been the end of him.

[@noviting6976]

​@@SkinniJbut they should have altered his voice in the video...

[@anthonymarshall9405]

@@noviting6976they did. It was an actor’s voice as mentioned at the start.

[@MDASAD-pl7fl]

Thanks for the information. Salute you all.

[@josephdsouza1515]

CBI and FBI should work on this together to return all public's money

[@sonalmundhra248]

This happened to a friend of mine and I now shudder to think what he must have gone through. Thank God he didn't take any drastic step.

[@Redwater352]

It’s frightening to think what our dear ones are going through. I made a pledge to myself to call people every now and then just because…

[@absolutelypitiful3837]

Poor father who is in total despair. You really want to hug and comfort that poor man. May he find peace.

[@sesspess]

Why did he have kids in poverty? This is his own fault..HE IS THE cruel one, making a woman pregnant being POOR,THAT IS CRUEL and that is HIS OWN FAULT

[@dipeshdes3958]

​​@@sesspess Can a man not have the opportunity to be a father ? It's true people in poverty will give the whole family a hard time but it's to be noticed that poor people stays poor and rich will stay rich. If he had waited for children when he would be rich, his life would be in old age until he got rich u dum ass .

[@WerewolfAsh]

Shouldn't poor people have kids to hope and love? What nonsense are you talking?​@@sesspess

[@rosauradiaz9842]

@@sesspess your comment is so stupid and shortsighted.

[@Ayah_Mia]

Indians lmfao 😂

[@be9683]

My dad always taught me that there's no such thing as free/easy money ...there has to be some conditions. SO never accept such calls or offers. I cant believe how dark and disgusting things are happening because of this.

[@Jams90.]

Step 1: make a fake account. Step 2: take out loan from scam app. Step 3: be happy! Step 4: repeat.

[@AmarthaluriSh]

@@Jams90.u need to give them your adhaar info for loan . That’s not have loan things work bro

[@Jams90.]

@@AmarthaluriSh what is adhaar

[@Jams90.]

@@AmarthaluriSh @22:18. My friend, Now is not the time to cry. Now is the time to get back at them. A man who has nothing to lose is the most dangerous person in the world when he puts his mind to it.

[@AmarthaluriSh]

@@Jams90. it’s a Indian national identity card, which u need for everything

[@sharadgovind1126]

Kudos to Punam and the guy who help expose the scam. Thank you BBC for this excellent piece of investigative journalism.

[@BBCWorldService]

Thank you for watching.

[@sujitchavan4813]

One thing is clear people go with easy route to get money... But fail to understand that there will be risk.. With every short cut in life..

[@Jams90.]

@22:18. My friend, Now is not the time to cry. Now is the time to get back at them. A man who has nothing to lose is the most dangerous person in the world when he puts his mind to it.

[@subhashdavid5933]

​@@BBCWorldServicewe need more journalists like punam.

[@123seema_1]

Great job BBC. This excellent investigative journalism shows that we still have journalist like Punam & team who are ready to investigate crime till end. A hope for the young generation, who are now a days watching chatukarita only in name of journalism. Thanks for your hard work.

[@SoulSonder26]

This is, and i say this with 100% seriousness, the BEST investigative journalism I've seen in YEARS! Great work!!

[@MHWorldwide]

This is the real reason behind the conflict between BBC and the Modi regime! Great investigation BBC!

[@satyambishnoi]

That was fake

[@Tyuiiiizxvb]

What has Modi got to do with it.Perhaps you're the British stooge planning to destroy India from within.Perhaps you pine for the days to be a coolie of your white sahibs

[@ittakes2-2tango]

The Indian government was so quick to ban hundreds of Chinese apps based on retaliation rather than threat. Why are these harmful loan apps with Chinese connections not banned then?

[@rainboworiental9521]

because they banned all formal Chinese APPs from well esthablished Chinese Internet firms. They tended to running legit businesses. Only things left is the criminals who running the shelled businesses and hard to recognize.😂 Even Chinese authority with iron fist can't totally diminish this kind scammed App from several major crackdown throughout 2010s. It's so profitable. Bold people always willing to burden some risks.

[@neogenesis_indica]

we are busy in hindu muslim

[@Kathakathan11]

They are banned as well. You need to complaint and that’s when action can be taken.

[@Kathakathan11]

@@neogenesis_indicaconsidering that Muslims support Hamas terror. We need to do Hindu Muslim and etc etc

[@itcell5628]

They are banned and these apps not available on IOS and Android's Appstore & Playstore these scammers send sms to hook people in scam and make them download app through unknown links, to be fair gov cant ban these links actually no one can the only solution is to make people aware about these scams

[@Manjukiran1986]

I was one of the loan takers long ago and they were all legally done. In spite of it being legal, they call you so many times and annoy you. I'm not saying they used bad language but the fact that they call you and keep reminding you everyday that you owe someone money makes you feel disgusted about yourself. I can only imagine in these scenarios how much pressure a person must have gone through that made them end their own life. That 26 year old girl's story just broke my heart 😢 Moral of the story, live on the streets if you have to, eat garbage if you got to, but never borrow money from anyone.

[@Mr.VAGlNA]

You can borrow from legit organisations specially government organisations

[@cdandanimelover3674]

Nobody borrows money for fun. Dire conditions force them.

[@tobyihli9470]

Shame on the Indian government for not stopping this.

[@sushanthreddymile7842]

They busy in other things

[@ronraji]

if u watched documentary , you would know lot of them were shut down and the main culprits are on the run...

[@Elivinu]

​@@sushanthreddymile7842yeah, like looting the country and defending criminals like Brij Bhushan.

[@jinkookstanbts1887]

they probably get a cut

[@AdityaSingh-ub8cj]

They will not stop maybe the government had some commision maybe 60-70%

[@useless51]

After viewing this documentary, I am thinking if a journalist or a group of journalists can do such a detailed dig up of wrongs with the citizens of a country... What and How much more can the government agencies could.. should and would be doing to set things right ! Kudos to the journalists who exposed the underbelly of such scams !

[@bloody_me_put-in]

Have you seen the Indian police? As soon as they get recruited into government jobs, they seem to believe their lives are all set, start slacking, and stop caring about their physical fitness. They look and act more like a fat and tyrannical mafia boss than a police.

[@bikasahoo]

Be aware that some "investigative journalism" had been found to be "deliberate" too.

[@jithingeorge8758]

Many apps are still running on playstore sadly

[@Ankurjit_Deori_]

the government is involved in such kind of activities as they get incentives from them

[@anirudhnarayan89]

Yo, du3btuck! The government has already banned a lot of these apps. Even popular ones were shown the door. Before posting such comments, at least read an article or two 🤦

[@SHAHNAWAZ32]

Everyone who has watched this documentary and appreciate the step taken by BBC, please share it as much as possible. This needs to be shared. I am doing my part. Please do yours.

[@BBCWorldService]

Thank you for spreading the word.

[@Pmla-b9w]

🙌👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏

[@RukundoArnold-d3e]

​@@BBCWorldServiceUganda we need help

[@wath3ka]

Same thing was happening in kenya🇰🇪. Predatory loan apps were a menace until the government took the initiative to ban most of them.

[@AlbertNTipster]

Yes, this is now happening in Kenya!

[@Blueberries1984]

​@@AlbertNTipsternot anymore,the government has put a data protection law and sent out a warning to all and any lenders who use borrower details to harass them and their contacts. 1 person has already been awarded 1.2million shillings by rhe court after reporting.

[@chaaaaaaaaaaaad]

Good job by Kenyan govt to ban these chinese motherf0ckers

[@RukundoArnold-d3e]

It's too much in Uganda now

[@atulpatel9960]

Hindustan times would not do such reporting, well done BBC

[@bcomsectiona6996]

They only focus on Hindu Muslim

[@mikii98541]

Well said “It’s not fear, it’s the shame”

[@peaceoflife6707]

Shame on such celebrities who endorse such loan apps without showing any moral responsibility.. Just want to make money at any cost😢

[@User67578]

Navi is a registered NBFC it's not illegal one , That's why the company apologise him

[@AnthonyDeRozario]

Indian celebrities will do anything for money! Just see how so many big-time Indian actors and cricketers are endorsing (cancer causing) paan-masala brands and online gambling apps. These greedy celebrities have no shame or any sort of moral obligations towards our society. For money they will even sell their mothers!!

[@julieemery8963]

😡😡pure evil

[@AnamikaK-b3n]

Fantastic journalism! This video should be circulated. It can save so many lives.

[@anisziashariff]

I will remain deeply indebted to BBC for this investigative documentary, thanks a lot. Please keep up your efforts on working and highlighting such issues. They have certainly saved many a lives. The indian system can do much more in banning and bringing those responsible to justice, but as we all know for sure they may be the foundation and the spring board from which these apps may be active and booming. Thanks again. Keep it up. Well done.

[@SOULDoctor111]

It resurfaced my trauma , I have experienced everything shown in this documentary. Third party RECOVERY AGENTS still call my family members and sometimes they call me too.but luckily my lawyer friends made me aware about laws and i understood my rights and RBI guidelines and with that awareness I can face these criminals and tell them what is right what is wrong. That trauma still haunts me.They threatened me ,my brother,my relatives and many of my known people.I guess it's just a start to crack the outer layer of this system because in reality there are many layers we need to know about. Thanks to the entire team.🙏 Special thanks to the brave Reporter for raising the voice against these Sharks. I hope our law and police help us on time so that we can prevent suicide and trauma disorders people face after such experiences.

[@increasingsun]

Still they do? Are these new tech fintech companies that have come up or local apps?

[@ajstilllovessh]

Brother I was saved by my parents but it hunts me to this day

[@BBCWorldService]

Thank you so much for watching and for sharing your experience.

[@josephdsouza1515]

CBI and FBI should work on this together to return all public's money, without interference of any pm or political parties.

[@Princu_bhaiya]

Sad thing is influencers like Dhoni and Many other celebrities do advertising for them. Hritink and Ajay with Rummy Circle, crickets for dream11 etc. They should know their value, money is not everything. Thanks BBC for bringing this up.

[@julieemery8963]

Its a pity that BBC dont bring up whats going on it England… its own country of origin😩😩

[@liveinshyam]

@18:34 The father of 24 year old girl Mounika is addressing her as "Mounika garu" and her name under photo reads the same. This is a respectful way of addressing someone in Telugu language. It breaks my heart to see a father with such a deep reverence for her daughter and her personality had to go through this tough time of losing only child. May a ray of light bring strength to family in some form.

[@test_account5610]

Did you see he touched the photo as we pray?. This is heart breaking .

[@tasleem5677]

It broke my heart. Imagine losing your innocent child to this cruel world and not being able to do anything.

[@vikasr1077]

She is government employee...

[@Dee10294]

Sorry for that woman. She's gone through a lot. May God make it easy for her. Amen

[@royaldiadem324]

May God finally release His just judgement as well. The amount of pain many is going through. I pray God sends new loved ones to those who are all alone.

[@princepb3157]

Indian government should take stern action against these financial fraudsters, if they are considerate of the well being of Indian citizens...

[@karnailsinghchadha213]

What Indian government ? They are andhbhakts who may be the real organisers of these loan apps .

[@DragonSlayerRealThinker]

You are expecring more from this govt which they are not capable of. Unless its opposition party or its about wining election they wont take any action..

[@Intolerantmoron]

It's funny that after all this you still believe the government has nothing to do with it. I am willing to bet most politicians in India has some benefit out of this

[@Intolerantmoron]

​@@seeker334 you're right expect an ED raid at BBC soon😅

[@classnclassics7252]

They have already !! Read news - it’s been months

[@gulrez1031]

Great work Poonam Agarwal! This doco was much needed to expose such scams happening in India.

[@paulabraham1338]

Was a victim myself, let me tell you these agents are the most ruthless A**********. Its been happening for years now and suprising the authorities are having a blind eye to it. My heart goes out to the people who died cause of these bloody rascals. Thank you BBC India for this.

[@youngdigholirecords2035]

How did you deal with it?

[@anonymoussaitama725]

Why take the loan when you can't pay back on time? 🤔

[@paulabraham1338]

@@anonymoussaitama725 get into the situation that i went through then you will know how it feels. easy to ask questions but when tragedy stikes is when you will know what it is. Do you even the scale at which these guys operate ? Or are you one among them trying to use a fake ID and ask questions ?

[@anonymoussaitama725]

@@paulabraham1338 No, I didn't mean it in that way. They have no right to abuse anyone. But one can surely borrow little money from friends family, etc... , but I understand that they choose their target audience who might not have access to these. I am not from there Obviously.

[@rememberme5928]

@@anonymoussaitama725 there r lot of scamsters and scam apps that show your debt uncleared even after you paid with interest and everything. Few other apps immediately deposit money as loan just after a session of debt cleared.

[@comments94]

I want this video dubbed in Marathi, so that it can be shared with my family members. In fact, it should be dubbed in all Indian languages to spread the awareness

[@JewellParis]

Great job done by BBC BBC should expose more unrecorded crime in the society

[@alipro6783]

BBC needs to expose the rape against women and girls by Hindu males. We need this to take the world stage. On Feb. 23, 2016, an Indian woman, within hours of giving birth by C-section, was raped in a hospital near New Delhi. Some in India took consolation in the fact that at least she was not, like Nirbhaya-the 23-year-old female physiotherapy intern-beaten up after being raped. A few days later, on March 8, 2016, on Women’s Day, a 15-year-old girl was raped and set on fire. Indeed, Amnesty International reports that authorities have not effectively implemented new laws on crimes against women. The majority of rape cases still go unreported. In Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s India, the problem, instead of abating, has become worse: 2011 24,206 (reported rapes per year in India)2012 24,9232013 33,7072014 37,000😮

[@biswajitroy3797]

Great job done

[@ItsGarbagedaaay]

My friend was abused and repeatedly told no one would believe her if she told anyone and tortured her. Please don’t believe a word they say. Your loved ones will always believe you and take your side. Stay strong and tell your most reliable friends or family if you’re in trouble. The more you stay silent the worse it gets.

[@vikas2412]

So heart wrenching to see how Parshuram's mother is in such a denial , just can't accept the fact that her son can be so cruel.

[@moominmay]

@@yeeshatravellerexactly! The denial is almost like a mental illness she has

[@bhanugopal7132]

Such an eye opener and Bone chilling documentary. Hopefully people get to see this amazing edited documentary and learn a valuable life lesson. Thanks BBC for all the hard work.

[@pavithrabalasubramanian7344]

This documentary proves yet again how cruel and wicked a human's mind could be...the lengths these people are going, to make money fully aware of the consequences...destroying many innocent lives.

[@NoLeftNoRight12287]

the GREED for money bro, the GREED for money

[@pavithrabalasubramanian7344]

@@GoreOB India is not the only nation where scams are happening. I am speaking generally, and my opinion applies to all the scammers.

[@NoLeftNoRight12287]

@@GoreOB you will be scammed even by a nigerian or pakstani. dont worry.

[@arijitroy2184]

​@pavithrabalasubramanian7344 duh you are addressing the capital of scam, the country of scam, India

[@onekerri1]

@@arijitroy2184 This particular scam leads straight to Hong Kong, ie. Chinese. Did you not watch the video? Did you simply read the title and make your comment?

[@monicaa9741]

Thank you BBC for exposing these scammers

[@mdsameer-pf3jd]

What bbc doesnt mention is these loan scammers charge 100% interest per week. Like if you take 100$ and then in the second month you have to pay 400$. Some people paid as much as 1500$ on a mere 100$ loan.

[@amanrana7900]

A scammer is exposing another scammer kek

[@siddharthsrivastava31]

​@@amanrana7900 indian media is scammer

[@pauljordan4452]

​@@mdsameer-pf3jdAgree. Currency symbol goes first.

[@amitthackrey5152]

Loan should be made for free for all Indians period ! Modiji should take a firm stand.

[@sinandiwan333]

When being brave is the only option, Kudos to this lady for coming out openly so that others realize how deep does this rabbit hole goes..well done to team BBC🎉

[@johnc3351]

Haha, BBC making fake accounts posting the same fake comments over and over and then giving them thumbs up. BBC is GARBAGE.

[@paulinaannoh3771]

I nearly fell into a scammers trap yesterday, thank God I listened to my instincts. Can happen to anybody !!!!

[@bosco5282]

Kudos to the BBC and entire team behind this...our authorities should take legal action against these scammers instead of fighting with each other ...apart from the scam if you see how this call centres are using our youth and destroying there ethics and morale to get advantage for themselves...there is very less job opportunity for our fresh graduates in india and they end up joining these call centres for 8k to 10k rupees per month...my prayers and thoughts goes to all victims who had to face this...please don't loose your hope....we will fight this together...

[@media-rn6zc]

BBC doesn't say anything about the mother terressa terrorist scam

[@ಭಾರತೀಯ_ನಾಗರಿಕ]

Lose, not loose

[@krunalparikh8535]

BBC is not doing a charity.. Wake up to reality of where BBC is from.. Wake up honey!

[@subhashisnag6090]

India must shut down all call centres. Call centres are a curse.

[@chandra_himanshu]

Why all call Centers? There are many genuine one.

[@chandra_himanshu]

Fall for BBC selective narrative building ? 😂😂😂 More dangerous and serious crime and scams are happening across the world including west which individuals are reporting.. The BBC will always try to target selective countries only by bringing only negative stroies from those countries. These call center scam stories often comes on local media.. periodic actions keep happening against them. BBC itself is the most deadly scam in the world from tax evasion, money laundering to propaganda and narrtive building in name of journalism.😂😂😂 Well those are saying that Indian media are not reporting these are probably are completely unaware of facts..😂😂😂 These stories keeps on comming in media. The point is that more dangerous crimes and scam happen in every part of the world including western world but BBC would only focus to traget certain countries to bring only negative stories from...that country.

[@subhashisnag6090]

@@chandra_himanshu All miseries piled up on hapless poor in India originate from call centres.

[@Dee-ow9fb]

@@subhashisnag6090 helpless*. also all call centres? what about amazon ? lol amazon in india is like half the market in the whole of worldwide amazon lol

[@metaphysicalrider1111]

Not all buddy

[@MessiahManiac]

Never thought that I would say this but thank you BBC for making this documentary, the media doesn't cover this, it is so rampant in our society rn.

[@Jams90.]

Step 1: make a fake account. Step 2: take out loan from scam app. Step 3: be happy! Step 4: repeat.

[@MessiahManiac]

@@Jams90. they're getting smarter nowadays, it doesn't work like that I have tried

[@Jams90.]

@@MessiahManiac hahaha what happened when you tried???

[@Jams90.]

@@MessiahManiac @22:18. My friend, Now is not the time to cry. Now is the time to get back at them. A man who has nothing to lose is the most dangerous person in the world when he puts his mind to it.

[@muhammedali7433]

Great Job by BBC in exposing the scam. The people should be careful while installing any app and most important do not give access to contacts, images, videos and other files

[@WoodstockG54]

It’s all India is becoming famous for. It used to be known for their enlightened teachers, but that’s in the past.

[@osho782]

Its hell...always will be like this

[@deepakkumar-pb8dn]

@@osho782so you must have left,right?

[@rajivvishwa]

Kudos to 'Rohan' for speaking up. Other call center employees must realize what they do literally destroys the life of others and get out of this dirty business.

[@believer2030]

Ethics don't matter when you are living in a poor country like India, where everyday you have to earn for survival.

[@Sanket.vjadhav]

They have a family to feed

[@suganthram7767]

​@@Sanket.vjadhavit's better to die than feed your family by destroying others lives

[@clickbaitpro]

@@believer2030 It doesn't for low value people but It does matter even if you're poor. There's always option to choose between right and wrong. Always, if you have working brain cells

[@clickbaitpro]

@@Sanket.vjadhav If that's your mentality, you don't have enough brain cells to think. I see everyday even poor people being ethical and having moral values. If scamming others is what you're feeding your family on, I hope the worst for those lifeless people

[@healthyself7941]

In the U.S., collection agencies must operate under certain regulations. For example, they cannot use abusive language, cannot call at night and so on. India should do something similar.

[@Kathakathan11]

These are not legal lending agencies. These entities are completely illegal.

[@themanincastle5432]

These are not legal companies. So they have no regulations

[@eggbenedict-gt7mw]

This is india here cops take bribe Police are the real scamsters in india 😂😂😂😂, American hackers exposing them but police don't catch

[@neutronstar5544]

These are illegal companies that do not follow RBI guidelines

[@udaykhanna1]

No one follows any law in India unless media starts covering it and it builds up pressure on politicians and police to take some strong action.

[@annamariarachnagonsalves2048]

Thank you BBC and Ms Aggarwal for the awareness.

[@vsam8412]

An eye opener, brilliant documentary 👍 my heart goes out to the victims. Hats off to the journalist who made this🙏

[@BBCWorldService]

Thank you for watching.

[@_vs04]

​@@BBCWorldService, please make a documentary on genocide of indians by british raj after 1857 revolution... i guess british govt would have records of how many peoples they killed .. if I'm not exact, it was somewhere aound 10 to 30 million in span of next 30 to 40 years ...

[@Jams90.]

Step 1: make a fake account. Step 2: take out loan from scam app. Step 3: be happy! Step 4: repeat.

[@faiselpatel]

​@@Jams90.they take aadhar authentication

[@Jams90.]

@@faiselpatel how do they get access to the adhaar system to verify it? Is it corruption?

[@Bittu_knk]

one of my friend was trapped by sextortion gang. he fought them on his own, no police helped him. Indian police don't help victims unless you have recoomendation

[@Kathakathan11]

True

[@abcdef5118]

Very true

[@mtarkes]

How men can get sextorted?

[@EE-uj6tw]

What’s a recommendation?

[@A_for_AML]

Call centre employees also must be punished very hard as they know their job is DIRTY JOB and its their VOICE CALL WHICH TAKES LIVES.

[@Tate525]

*scam call centre employees

[@charanteja5285]

Only scam call centre employees

[@vishnupillai9336]

​@@Tate525how is it scam they are not scamming thing they are doing is unethical but not a scam

[@nyakwarObat]

​@@vishnupillai9336go back to your worm hole and stay there. Don't come out. 🙄

[@ChichikimCd]

​@@vishnupillai9336it's a crime nonetheless

[@amitlal436]

I am glad that you are an honest journalist. I appreciate your hard work

[@itn0687]

My cousin who was just out of college too became a victim of this trap. They had every detail of him including his ID and had made his life miserable. When he started avoiding their calls these goons starts calling females from his phone contact list. Then we approached police, after that everything looks peaceful.. god knows what's going to happen in the future.

[@theyouthblock8210]

Astonishing to see what independent journalism can do that the government and its countless agencies cannot

[@Kathakathan11]

Agencies are tracking and trapping these people every single day. Read newspapers and you will see continuous cases

[@pajeetsingh]

BBC. independent?

[@TheMJsisters]

it's not they cannot, they don't want to

[@RaulVincitaly]

government busy giving reservations and freebees to dalits and muslims. merit class no jobs, and stuck this loans to fill the emergency necessity

[@tltarzan678]

Chinese are attacking inside India. They’re using Indian to attack Indian to commit suicide n take money ..

[@swatighosh6992]

Thank you for honest investigative journalism Poonam! What also bothers me is the permanent irreversible damage to the moral fibre of the country. All young people who work in these call centres are morally damaged forever. My heart breaks for all the lives lost and the families and friends impacted by their deaths. If you are stuck in this kind of an abyss, speak to someone you trust and ask for help. Turn to people whom you can meet, talk in-person, come out of the apps and the virtual world.

[@GraphicEngine]

Ponnam Agarwal -the reporters's courage is contagious!

[@indie.dog.parent]

With so many other videos , this Video from BBC is really an eye opener and applaud to the lady who risked her life in exposing such a big scam and who are all behind it. These loan apps are really a termite to our society and it always targets needy people and eventually getting harassed , they guys should be punished.

[@Jams90.]

Step 1: make a fake account. Step 2: take out loan from scam app. Step 3: be happy! Step 4: repeat.

[@niteshjain7576]

Someone who had been trapped and coming out of it was an mental torture. Thanks BBC, i can finally share to my cousins & family what i actually went through. 😢❤

[@musicaccount7240]

Which app was it?

[@00shivani]

You can Always share, especially with family! Never suffer alone. I was surprised how many people in the video didn’t go to their family for help. One girl would rather kill her grandmother, instead of just informing her of her struggles and asking for the jewelry or any help. Im sure her family would have helped her. What went through her mind to kill her? I have been in so many tough situations. Sure I might have been too scared to call my parents, but I would call an aunty or a friend and eventually my parents. That’s what family is for.

[@niteshjain7576]

@@00shivani finally it was my family who pulled me out

[@abundela76]

The main problem is 'Why the people of India are opting for a Loan as low as Rs 2000?'

[@Madoobe87]

Desperation caused by poverty

[@Jams90.]

@22:18. My friend, Now is not the time to cry. Now is the time to get back at them. A man who has nothing to lose is the most dangerous person in the world when he puts his mind to it.

[@sidheequeche8262]

After demonetisation, government looted peoples money and given to adani by loan and avoiding tax.

[@ProLab.]

​@@sidheequeche8262and you muslims became poor na??? That's all in your mind for Modi Government... And before Modi all the citizens of India were rich like Ambani's and Adani's , isn't it?? For everyone in this world, never ever listen and believe on any word said by muslims of India bcz they only know their religion, they just want to make India a Muslim country and for that they are doing whatever they can do...

[@subhasreethakur2292]

Not always due to poverty but to maintain a wealthy lifestyle.

[@agnuspaul3817]

The best documentary ever 👏 kudos to BCC tean and journalist. Hope this scam ends at the earliest

[@StephenDawson12]

Bravo, *Apexbureauservice* ! I'm so glad you're out there fighting these scumbags. We must do everything in our power to protect the elderly and the general public from these despicable scammers. You're a true hero, my brother!

[@BlankSpace1704]

Kudos for this report. Recently I heard multiple suicides in kerala with same traps . the worst part was they kept sharing the morphed pics even after victim’s funeral. Another terrible part is they all borrowed smaller amounts from 50 k to few lakhs and in return they had to kill themselves.

[@johnalbert3653]

Kudos to the entire BBC team! I am very grateful to you and the entire team for comprehensively covering this widespread issue! Thank you!

[@dolly7426]

BBC themselves are such frauds

[@birdmedicaldevices]

Poonam you are a lady with an iron will. Hats off to your amazing work. Keep going & God bless

[@lawteacher8337]

My heart goes out to Gauri's dad 😢

[@YefWin]

As a journalist...all I can say is SUPERB JOB ❤ Your story has aptly exposed the lending industry of India. Such tactics are also used by some very large corporations 😢😢too

[@josephdsouza1515]

CBI and FBI should work on this together to return all public's money, without interference of any pm or political parties.

[@YefWin]

We don't know whether any politicos have vested interests in such scams. Unfortunately. @@josephdsouza1515

[@akulasudha294]

I came across many victims when I had been working with the police , it was just like people running to the Emergency room at a hospital for the immediate rescue of their life , their emotions were scattered , most sunk , many still trembling , and some almost ready to commit suicide and came across some poor who committed suicide . .... Great work done by you , I have been working out on the awareness side .

[@hiteshjha9789]

Respect to everybody involved in this operation and bringing out the truth . I was about to do something stupid being frustrated from couple of these - thanks to BBC !

[@eliottcallafe4700]

Take care of yourself dude 😊❤

[@Pammellam]

Google is not checking these apps as they should. Apps like this should not be allowed on Google. …. they should not be able to download details of address books or photos.

[@chairpants]

When you install any app, Android let's you pick the permissions given. If a random app asking you to give your contact access, you should use your brain and deny it. But people don't really care and 99% of people are technologically very illiterate even today.

[@Kathakathan11]

This is the most important point

[@AMwanja]

The problem is you allowing your privacy to the apps be very careful..go to settings and secure your privacy

[@cresselia1]

They are downloading through apk files

[@deepakvalechha]

Humanity is at an all time low. Thx BBC for showcasing the truth and making people aware.

[@ashardeashley3599]

Kali- Yuga even at its golden age. It will get worse than this.

[@SihanOnline]

Kali na bolta toh bhi logo ko pata chalta

[@deepakvalechha]

@@SihanOnlinewhat do you mean ?

[@royaldiadem324]

Sin has increased…It is the end times. Hold onto Jesus Christ because wickedness increasing and God is coming.

[@kellyshomemadekitchen]

What an outrage! I hope the slimy company(s) behind these despicable stunts are jailed for life!

[@Greg_Rix]

Very very brave people, I salute them from across the globe.

[@sadeboseat4713]

Very good investigation journalism . Kudos to BBC team.

[@solomon2104]

Its really brave to show the real scam of loan apps. I suggest Bollywood to make a movie on this topic with Big actors, so it will make awareness in the country. (South movies often does this to aware people)

[@souradeep.official]

Thank to the entire team and BBC for this documentary 👏👏

[@themahesh2168]

Thanks BBC for this documentary 😢

[@sahasikbina]

Thanks to BBC and the people associated with them to bring this up and create an social awareness... Rohan did an great work and prayers to all those members who lost their lives... Be fearless, courageous...here comes spirituality as a weapon to protect yourself and conquer this.

[@835_subham9]

Right. Spirituality as a permanent social security option was already weighed on by Guru Jiddu Krishnamurti

[@AashishSapate]

Amazing work done by poonam ma'am and fantastic journalism. This video should be used in order to spread awareness about the chinese loan apps.

[@BBCWorldService]

Thank you for watching.

[@TalismanTopG-]

Shame on us Indians as well for being so heartless.

[@aaditi9]

I come across many people on daily basis who come for their deceased settlement case and share their bitter experience of life.. I met the parents of the man who committed suicide in Hydrabad, couldn't handle this blackmailing and shame and found hanging to the ceiling fan in his rented flat.. And you all will be surprised to know the amount he borrowed.. Just Rs 2000/-. One Mistake and all finished..

[@Jams90.]

@22:18. My friend, Now is not the time to cry. Now is the time to get back at them. A man who has nothing to lose is the most dangerous person in the world when he puts his mind to it.

[@Missjiji33]

Oh my God. It's very unreasonable to take suicide. I feel sympathy to the family,

[@ncr1723]

Hats off🙏❤️👍👌 Heart felt thanks to every single soul who had contributed in making this documentary. 🙏

[@AlexS20-]

Waiting for Indian government to take a strict action against the people who are involved in this. They all need to be punished. Kudos to Rohan and BBC. Great work 👏

[@praveenwazza5556]

Indian government will ban BBC

[@NKiransing]

they will ban this documentary also and show India is shining..

[@thenimblerider]

true

[@bkv5134]

​@@NKiransingIndian govt already banned 100 Chinese apps... But our own Indian people coming with different app... It's our own Indian people who are doing this to fellow Indian... We can not left everything on govt.. As a human we also have some responsibility.. Many people who are watching this video they or any of their relatives might doing this scam.. This scammers are not aliens.. They are our own people..

[@neelkandsharma4451]

Poor victims The mental trauma they must have faced is just unimaginable Truly my heart goes to those people who have suffered in the hands for loan demons 😢

[@BTboy21]

To liya kyu 😂

[@sid0990]

​@@BTboy21Tere se kehke lenge na!

[@BTboy21]

@@sid0990 jab dene ki aukat nahi to lete kyu ho bhikari

[@rahatislam6271]

Brilliantly well-researched and documented. But you should have pursued and Publicised M.S.Dhoni's promoting and advertising this Loan App Company, afterall, make no mistake he made his Moolah from the Endorsement of this Loan App taking advantage of his Celebrity status, while sending the Poor Borrowers to their Doom and Death. It's time these celebrities are made to pay for this.

[@Kathakathan11]

Yes, SRK RUMMY SCAM

[@usernamesoldout]

Celebrities should be held accountable for what they advertise.

[@hardeepsingh-sg2kz]

@@usernamesoldoutbastards are willing to promote gutka too

[@mudra5114]

Celebrities don't care. Just want the money from their fame.

[@AnkushSharma-pn8ev]

Rare to find these investigative journalistic masterpieces coming out of India these days !! Great Job Poonam !!

[@TheKpcheema]

Amazing film! I couldn’t take my eyes off from the screen! I am hoping with the help of this documentary people will become more aware. Great subject and brilliant work done by Poonam! Her passion towards her work showed well in unfolding the story and bringing out the truth. Good luck to the team and I pray people find justice someday from such brutal situations. ❤❤❤

[@ottobena]

Glad to see real journalism happening. Kudos to the team for bringing up this issue. Many reputed companies like Kreditbee/Bajaj Finance also do similar things. Their approach is much more sophisticated kind of mental torture. Torture neverthless.

[@beingmilo1]

Kreditbee is a Chinese backed up..

[@manishtaker8622]

Ring app seems best they dont call anyone

[@vishnupillai9336]

Dnt take loan if ucant payback

[@ottobena]

@@vishnupillai9336 surname checks out

[@akshatv3539]

@@vishnupillai9336 Don't harass people for skipping one EMI. Two men barged in my neighbor's home for that same reason. A person is only defaulter when the installments aren't paid for 90 days. Don't exploit consumer lack of awareness and intimidation to meet your recovery targets.

[@melodeev5487]

If it seems too good to be true, it ALWAYS is. Words to live by.

[@subinitamazumder1307]

What a disheartening phenomenon. And the mother's belief that it's the daughter-in-law who is in the wrong is such a typical mother-in-law mentality. I request all the moms not to put the blame on your daughter-in-law/ son-in-law. If her son was not inherently evil minded, he wouldn't have done this or would have tried to seek help to break free.

[@josephwaft]

Apparently the mother living condition suggests that, she has not benefited much from her son's loot, so she could be blaming the daughter in law for this situation.

[@sunburnmoments]

If so many people have been caught and identified on camera.. It is the duty of indian police to arrest and punish these disgusting blackmailers and teach them such a lesson that no one else would want to get into this extortion line ever again! But sadly none of this will happen..! Anyway good job BBC👍

[@vaisha1i]

These fraudsters pay hapta to police as their passive income

[@sunburnmoments]

@@vaisha1i exactly. Which is why the police will take no action despite knowing everything

[@philosopher_2017]

This documentary is a master piece in modern history. Philippines has same problem regarding in that online shaming of loan app but i think India got a worst affect. Kudos to the investigator's informant he has a heart for the poor people.

[@CrazyPig990]

Thank you everyone behind this master piece, one step closer to a peaceful World ❤❤❤🎉

[@ksdbt2881]

A heart-breaking story indeed... A hard luck for the unfortunate victims who fell unknowingly to this evil trap. Nevertheless, be strong! One day the truth and justice will prevail. ❤❤ Thank you for the excellent news 🙏

[@boosadan1379]

People are scarier than any ghosts. My heart goes to all the victims and their family. No one deserves this kind of life 💔 Thank you BBC for this video. The abuses were so disturbing yet eye opener for me about this cruel world🙏

[@lmc2664]

As Chinese, I'm absolutely ashamed for these mastermind criminals. Many people are driven by money and greed these days. We just can't trust anyone anymore, that includes our family in some extent.

[@wwjd1964]

Sadly you are 100% right.

[@Kathakathan11]

There are many such scams, not Chinese always. The rummy scam is another big threat. Endorsed by big celebrities and while people petitioned to ban such advertisements, the court supported these rummy apps, saying it’s a skill based game. I agree it is, but many use it for gambling. It’s pity that people, even the fee I know are falling prey to this. One was in huge debt that he sold his ancestral craft certification. It took generations to develop and nurture that art 😢 It’s pathetic.

[@elliottso6949]

how ? its not a scam, people borrow money should pay the money back

[@lmc2664]

@@elliottso6949 they're nothing but loan sharks. They target people who are desperate.

[@EsoteriaHealing]

​@elliottso6949 wow, first of all not everyone is allowed to loan money to people. Secondly if they don't pay where in the laws it's written that you can send their morphed photos to their contacts? Abuse them? You can't be serious when you leave a comment like this.

[@cielvanhills9284]

I was brought to tears looking at her cry. The Indian government needs to provide security to its citizens and everyone else. Brilliant minds are using their knowledge for wickedness. It is scary how some people sleep at night, imagining they have ruined someone else's life. What a world!

[@ashutoshsingh72476]

When my father gives mobile phone, he said as a responsible parent that never believe online person and if u want any need I'm with u even he has never used smartphone and use internet ❤ so be cautious while using internet and mobile😊