IT Department conducts searches in relation to fintech company offering loans via mobile app

The Income Tax Department raided a fintech company providing instant short term personal loans through a mobile app.

New Delhi: The Income Tax Department carried out search and seizure operations on 09.11.2021 in a case related to a fintech company providing instant short term personal loans through a mobile app. The searches were conducted on the business and residential premises in Delhi and Gurugram.

During the search, it was revealed that the company has been allegedly charging very high processing fees at the time of disbursement of loans. This results in an effective higher burden of compensation on the borrowers.  

The said company is held by a group based in Cayman Island, ultimately controlled by an individual of a neighbouring country. The company has brought in India nominal initial capital by way of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) but took substantial working capital loans from Indian banks. The business model of the company results in a high rotation of capital which is evidenced by a turnover of Rs. 10,000 crore in its first year of operation.

It is seen that repatriation of about Rs. 500 crore has been made by it its overseas group companies under the pretext of buying of services in two years. However, evidence gathered during the search has revealed that such remittances made to the group companies are either highly inflated or non-genuine. Also Read: SBI offers two-wheeler loans with EMIs starting at Rs 256: Check interest rate, eligibility

Evidences found also indicate that internal web-based application for lending business was controlled from outside India. During the search proceedings, statements of key persons including foreign nationals have been recorded. Also Read: Planning to visit nearby markets? Check Google Maps’ new feature that can warn you about crowded places