England's Illegal Money Lending Team Seizes Weapons and Passports in Raids, Makes 33 Arrests from 597 Reports

Following the shift online, victims are now found up to 60 miles apart rather than within the same neighbourhood. Sarah, aged 28 and from Yorkshire, first contacted a loan shark via social media after being turned down for a credit card. Sarah borrowed less than £10,000 from loan sharks and repaid £20,000.

Her initial loan agreement was to borrow £50 and repay £100. Sarah sent photos of her utility bills to the loan shark believing it was a legitimate registration process. She received threatening messages including the words "I want it now or you are gonna be hurt".

Sarah became homeless and tried to end her life several times after being threatened by loan sharks. She has only recently finished paying £20,000 of debt repayments. "When I look back, I'm filled with shame," Sarah said.

Some of Sarah's friends had taken their own lives after accumulating thousands of pounds in loan shark debt. Unregulated lending is illegal. Citizens Advice and the FCA suggest contacting your local credit union for people who need help with a small loan.

Paul from West Yorkshire paid more than £5,000 in cash to loan sharks after his son's debt and later paid more than £20,000 total. Paul's son borrowed £30 for a round of drinks from a so-called friend and then borrowed a small amount more on a few other occasions. Paul installed CCTV cameras throughout his home and avoids being in the home alone due to fear of loan sharks returning.

West Yorkshire Police said it was unable to progress Paul's report due to a lack of evidence. "All of the advice, all of the people that you could turn to say, 'don't pay'. But… you'll find a way because you feel as though you've got to make the pain go away," Paul said.

"They don't say I'm going to hurt you - something will happen to your house… but they are there in your space.