The police are investigating 20 cases of usury, after a specialized team was formed in February to combat usury, the institution responded to "Vijesti" (News).
A special police team was formed during a major "News" series about this illegal business, in which dozens of usurer victims talked about how they fell into debt bondage.
"In coordination with the competent state prosecutor's offices, police officers from the special team dealing with the aforementioned criminal offense are acting in a total of 20 cases," the Police Directorate said.
The institution explains that its officers act within the legally prescribed deadlines, in accordance with the nature and complexity of each individual criminal offense.
"The criminal offense of usury is specific due to the manner of its execution, which implies difficult acquisition and analysis of evidence, and therefore a longer period of proceedings. All cases in the Team's work are in the investigation phase and are being implemented in continuous coordination with the competent state prosecutor's offices. The number of processed cases is regularly reported through the media, while respecting the need to protect the course of the investigation and the confidentiality of pre-investigation and investigative actions," they pointed out.
They also state that, through the intelligence project "LOAN" - usury, during January, February, March and April 2026, seven criminal reports were filed in the line of work on economic crime.
They also state that 10 criminal reports were filed last year, and seven in 2023.
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As the main problems in investigations of usury and bringing usurers to justice, from the Police Directorate headed by Lazar Scepanovic, they emphasized the non-cooperation of the injured parties.
"In working on these cases, police officers are faced with the lack of cooperation of injured parties, who often do not have or do not keep relevant documentation, evidence of importance for the procedure, as well as the fact that such crimes are often not reported due to fear or personal relationships with the perpetrators. Also, this is a crime of pronounced latency, without witnesses when handing over money, because the actions most often take place in a closed circle. In addition, formal contracts (notarial deeds) often do not reflect actual agreements, including disproportionate material gain, while interest is paid informally ('in cash'). Contracts for the purchase and sale of movable and immovable property, loan and joint investment contracts are most often used. In order to overcome the above challenges, intensified operational activities are being undertaken in the field, cooperation with competent institutions is being improved, as well as continuous activities aimed at encouraging citizens to report this crime," they explained.
They investigate themselves
Responding to questions, they pointed out that police officers act both upon reports from citizens and ex officio: "When there is a basis for suspicion that the criminal offense of usury has been committed."
"Compared to previous years, there has been an increase in both the number of reports from citizens and the number of cases initiated ex officio. This trend is the result of a greater number of reports from injured parties, operational findings, increased field work, as well as the discovery of connected networks of persons engaged in this type of crime during reconnaissance activities," the UP said.
The institution emphasizes that in investigations of usury, their officers use all legally permitted means and measures, exclusively in cooperation and on the orders of the competent state prosecutor's offices.
"All activities are carried out with the aim of obtaining quality evidence that enables the successful conduct of criminal proceedings."
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They also assessed that there is a need to consider toughening penalties for loan sharks.
"There is a need to consider changes to criminal sanctions, in order to further tighten them in relation to perpetrators of the criminal offense of usury.
The police, according to their claims, have good cooperation with other institutions in reporting and investigating cases of usury.
"Cooperation with other institutions is good and continuous, especially with the banking sector, local government bodies and state prosecutors' offices, through the exchange of information and coordinated action. Further improvement of cooperation is needed in the area of timely reporting of suspicious activities and strengthening control of financial transactions when there is suspicion of the criminal offense of usury," concluded the UP.
Research by "Vijesti" has shown that usury in Montenegro does not affect one specific social group. People of all ages and profiles take money from usurers: out of necessity, because of debts, sometimes because of bad decisions. Almost all of them, however, share the same outcome: a debt that does not decrease, property that disappears and fear that remains long after the money is gone. And often tragedy - divorces, suicide attempts, suicides... In some cases, it all starts as a small loan, and ends with lost houses, stolen ancestral properties, fear in your own home and the realization that in this "game" you are not a debtor, but a hostage.
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