Police have arrested 12 men and a woman, aged 21 to 50, in a crackdown on illicit activities related to money lending.

Officers raided six locations across the city yesterday, seizing seven computers, documents, more than 200 easy-stands, and advertisement banners.

Four of the arrestees are believed to have triad backgrounds.

People were lured into getting loans from unlicensed moneylenders and intermediaries via leaflets or easy-stand displays on the street.

Some intermediaries conspired with the money-lenders to charge an unreasonable amount in administration fees or warranties, which equalled to an interest higher than the rate stipulated under the law, and therefore victims received smaller loans than expected.

The arrestees face charges of carrying on business as a moneylender without a licence, demanding or receiving remuneration or reward from a borrower or intending borrower, and publishing illicit advertisements.