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

On May 23, the Nghe An Department of Education and Training 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, Nghe An Provincial People's Committee for reporting and sent to 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 some credit organizations lending money of unknown origin were posted on apps, through messages of online applications, social networks, leaflets..., with advertisements of simple and quick procedures, attracting many participants, including some 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 reputations of many people, many of whom did not borrow any money, but were still called and texted to terrorize and threaten. More seriously, they also used personal images to spread on social networks, send emails and call leaders, managers, and related individuals to denounce and pressure debt collection.

In order 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, its affiliated units, Continuing Education Centers, Continuing 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, flyers, or loan apps of unknown origin or through intermediaries.

A principal and his relatives were ridiculed on social media despite not borrowing 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 the debt, or are threatened or terrorized by these subjects, they must promptly report to the unit's leaders to find a solution. In case the subjects lending money have photoshopped their photos, provided their ID cards or citizen identification cards, defamed or slandered them on social networks or email boxes, threatened them, demanded payment of unreasonable debts, or impersonated 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 card, driver's license ...), it is necessary to quickly notify the competent authorities to prevent the theft of personal information, taking advantage of your documents to commit illegal activities.

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

The Department of Education and Training requests that the Departments of Education and Training, affiliated units, and vocational education and training centers deploy to each cadre, teacher, employee and worker in the entire industry to know and strictly implement. At the same time, it requests that units whose teachers and employees have been and are being terrorized, demanded debts, or defrauded during the period from January 1, 2021 to May 20, 2022, compile a list and send it to the Department, through the Department of Political and Ideological Affairs 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