Cyber harassment over Rs 2,000 loan leads to tragic death of a man in Andhra

The latest incident to have surfaced from Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, has brought attention to the dangers of unregulated online loan apps. A 25-year-old man, Narendra, committed suicide after loan agents tormented him and his wife with harassment. His story reflects how these online lending platforms mentally distort individuals, mainly when extreme methods are adopted for the collection of even small loans.

Narendra, a fisherman, was living a simple life with his wife, Akhila. But bad weather led him to lose his source of income. His basic expenses were hard to cover, and so he decided to borrow Rs 2,000 from an online loan app. The amount seemed manageable at first. But what seemed like a simple solution to his financial stress turned into a nightmare soon.

Instead of being treated as a customer, Narendra and Akhila started getting repeated abusive calls from the loan agents. The harassment didn't stop at threats. The loan agents went a step further by digitally editing Akhila's photos and sending them along with offensive captions to their friends and family. This cruel act added to the emotional weight of the couple. They worked day and night trying to repay the loan, hoping this harassment would end there. Instead, it only continued.
The fake images and relentless pressure from the agents really humiliated Narendra. He was unable to cope with this emotional distress and shame when he ended up committing suicide. This is one example of the deep damage caused by online loan apps through such abusive practices of collection.
This is what was to become the tragic story of Narendra and has caused worry to several people in that some form of regulation will come along to cover the entire internet lending apps that give themselves the liberty to exploit unsuspecting loaned amounts from vulnerable users with aggression.

People should also be made aware of the dangers of borrowing from these apps. Most people, especially those in dire financial straits, are not aware of the dangers they expose themselves to when borrowing from these online lenders.
The mental and emotional toll of financial stress is immense. In cases like Narendra’s, the added burden of harassment can be overwhelming. It's essential that people facing such pressures have access to mental health support and guidance. No one should feel like they have no way out. Family, friends, and professionals can help people deal with tough situations without resorting to extreme measures.