Core Points - The Beijing Financial Regulatory Bureau has issued a consumer risk warning regarding the rise of illegal loan intermediaries, which have become a major manifestation of "black and gray industries" in the financial sector [1] - These illegal intermediaries use deceptive practices such as false promises and malicious debt stacking, harming consumers' rights and increasing financing costs while disrupting market order and heightening financial risks [1] Summary by Categories Illegal Loan Intermediary Traps - Common traps identified include misleading contract signing, where intermediaries obscure unfavorable terms and mislead consumers into signing contracts without clear information on loan rates and repayment dates [1] - Low-interest bait is used to attract consumers with annual rates around 2% to 3%, only to later impose high fees exceeding 10% or even 20% under various pretexts [1] Specific Scams - The AB scheme involves requiring a friend or relative to apply for a loan on behalf of the actual borrower, who then bears the repayment risk if the original borrower defaults [2] - The "professional debt" scam lures individuals with promises of high returns and no repayment obligations, leading to fabricated loan applications that ultimately leave the borrower with the debt [2] - Post-loan scams involve intermediaries contacting consumers under the guise of bank management, demanding immediate repayment under false pretenses, often resulting in high service fees [2] - Malicious information queries target consumers with good credit, leading to unnecessary loan applications that increase their credit inquiries and complicate future borrowing [2] Consumer Advice - The Beijing Financial Regulatory Bureau advises consumers to be vigilant, avoid deception, choose legitimate institutions, protect their privacy, ensure safety, and uphold their legal rights [3]

Core Viewpoint - The Beijing Financial Regulatory Bureau has issued a consumer risk warning regarding the rampant illegal loan intermediary practices that have become a major manifestation of "black and gray industries" in the financial sector [1] Summary by Categories Illegal Loan Intermediary Traps - The typical traps of illegal loan intermediaries include misleading contract signing, where they obscure or hide unfavorable terms, leading consumers to sign contracts without understanding the true costs [1] - Low-interest bait is used to attract consumers, initially offering annual interest rates around 2% to 3%, but later imposing fees that exceed 10% or even 20% during the processing [2] - The AB scheme involves requiring a loan applicant (A) to have a friend or relative (B) apply for a loan, placing the repayment responsibility on B, which can lead to financial loss if A defaults [2] - The "professional debt" scam targets specific groups by promising high returns and no repayment obligations, while fabricating financial documents to secure loans, leaving the debt burden on the borrower [2] - Post-loan scams involve intermediaries contacting consumers under the guise of bank management, claiming non-compliance and demanding immediate repayment, often leading to high service fees [3] - Malicious inquiries are made to increase the number of credit checks on consumers, complicating their ability to secure legitimate loans, while intermediaries impose additional fees [3] Consumer Protection Recommendations - Consumers are advised to be vigilant against misleading promotions and to avoid trusting unsolicited communications regarding debt restructuring or optimization [3] - It is recommended that consumers assess their income and spending capabilities realistically and seek financial services through legitimate institutions [3] - Protecting personal information is crucial; consumers should safeguard sensitive documents and avoid delegating financial tasks to others to prevent data breaches [3] - Consumers should report any doubts about financial services through official channels and preserve evidence if they fall victim to illegal loan intermediaries [4]