A team tackling illegal money lenders in Wales has wiped out £900,000 of debt owed to loan sharks by their victims so far, figures have revealed.

The Wales Illegal Money Lending Unit (IMLU) has identified 1,700 people as victims since it was set up in 2008, and has brought 32 people to trial.
It says loan sharks target vulnerable people like those on low incomes.
The unit is also warning that crooked lenders will find "easy pickings" as welfare benefits cuts begin to bite.

Funded by the UK government, but acting on behalf of Wales' 22 councils, the Cardiff-based IMLU has a mix of trading standards officers and former police detectives for its investigations.

The loan books seized from illegal lenders show they had lent £2.2m to 1,700 people, and £900,000 was outstanding before the team moved in.
That debt has now been written off.

Jail terms totalling 10 years and six months have been handed down to people it has prosecuted, while assets worth £3m hav....Click HERE to read more