Victims of debt 'terrorism' in Nghe An were listed by the Education Department to report to the police.

On May 23, the Department of Education and Training of Nghe An issued a document on prevention and vigilance against lending activities via social networks and credit institutions of unknown origin to the Department of Education and Training of districts, cities, towns, - Units under the Department - Continuing Education Centers, Vocational Education - Continuing Education Centers...

In addition, this document was also sent to the Ministry of Education and Training, the People's Committee of Nghe An province for reporting and sent to the Nghe An Provincial Police for coordination in handling.

This document states that recently, according to the reflection of functional sectors and the situation at educational institutions, the activities of a number of credit organizations lending money of unknown origin were posted on apps, through messages on online applications, social networks, leaflets..., with advertisements of simple and quick procedures, attracting many participants, including a number of officials and teachers in the industry.

Individuals who borrow money in this form must accept high interest rates and complicated interest calculation methods, and after borrowing, they suffer many serious consequences. Many people said they had paid off their debts, but these subjects said they still owed money, so they were constantly asked to pay. To collect debts, these subjects are willing to put pressure on all relatives and colleagues related to the debtor, affecting the lives and reputation of many people, many of whom did not borrow any money, but there were still people calling, texting to terrorize and threaten. More seriously, they also used personal images to spread on social networks, send emails, call leaders, managers, and related individuals to denounce and pressure to collect debts.

To promptly prevent and stop the above phenomena, after consulting with the PA03 Department of the Provincial Police, the Department of Education and Training (DOET) requires the DOET, affiliated units, Continuing Education Centers, Continuing Education-Vocational Education Centers to strengthen dissemination, propaganda, and require cadres, teachers, and employees to raise awareness and vigilance against forms of loan solicitation and the consequences of borrowing money at high interest rates from organizations and individuals of unknown origin; how to recognize and avoid becoming victims of this situation. In particular, do not borrow money from lenders through social networking sites, phone numbers, leaflets, or loan apps of unknown origin or through intermediaries.

A principal and his relatives were ridiculed on social media even though they did not borrow money. Photo: TH

In case officers, teachers, and employees have borrowed money from organizations or individuals (through the internet or other credit organizations) and have fully or partially paid off their debts, or are threatened or terrorized by these subjects, they need to promptly report to the unit's leaders to find a solution. In case the loan sharks use photo collages, use ID cards, citizen identification cards, defame, slander on social networks, on email boxes, threaten, demand payment of unreasonable debts or impersonate the police to defraud and force them to transfer money... promptly notify friends and relatives, and at the same time report to the unit's leaders to report to the police and have a solution.

At the same time, be alert to forms of impersonation of authorities (Police, Health, Inspectorate ...) calling to scam, threaten, and appropriate money and property. When losing personal documents (ID card, citizen identification, driver's license ...), quickly notify the competent authorities to prevent theft of personal information, and abuse of documents for illegal activities.

Another principal was threatened and had his photo edited. Photo: TH

The Department of Education and Training requests the Departments of Education and Training, affiliated units, and vocational training centers to inform and seriously implement this to every cadre, teacher, employee and worker in the entire industry. At the same time, it requests units whose teachers and employees have been and are being terrorized, have debts demanded, or are being scammed during the period from January 1, 2021 to May 20, 2022, to compile a list and send it to the Department, through the Political and Ideological Department before May 28, 2022, for synthesis and reporting to the authorities for handling measures.

Previously, Nghe An Newspaper published a series of articles reflecting the situation of many principals, teachers, leaders of some units... being "terrorized" to collect debts even though they did not borrow money. After Nghe An Newspaper published the article, hundreds of people contacted, reflecting that they were also victims of this problem. Some teachers even had to resign because they could not stand the pressure and threats....

Tien Hung