Mexico’s scam loan apps ensnare young workers as enforcers

A file photo of women using their mobile phones in Mexico City, Mexico. Workers lured by ads for well-paid call centre staff are being pushed into extortion for apps such as CashBox and Súper Préstamo. — Reuters

MEXICO CITY: Unemployed and tempted by the above-average salary, 28-year-old Karen applied to work at a call centre for Mexican loan app CashBox – unaware that her job would be to threaten and intimidate anyone who failed to pay up on time.

In the five days she lasted in the job, bosses ordered her to harass clients as soon as they missed a repayment by mining their contact lists, text messages and pictures, which the app had access to – in violation of Mexico’s privacy law.