Wirral loan shark sentenced to 39 months in jail
A Wirral woman who acted as a loan shark while she helped her son to supply drugs has today (April 28, 2026) been sentenced to 39 months.
Carole Low, aged 65, pleaded guilty to illegally lending money between 2018 and 2025 as well as two counts of conspiracy to supply controlled drugs.
Her son Seng Low, 43, admitted two charges of conspiracy to supply controlled drugs.
They both appeared before Liverpool Crown Court today to be sentenced.
His Honour Judge Dennis Watson KC sentenced Carole Low to four months for illegal lending and 35 months for conspiracy to supply drugs, to run consecutively. Seng Low was sentenced to 40 months.
The judge said Carole Low was involved in “ruthless exploitation” and that her “money lending was to people who were weak, vulnerable and unable to access money”.
The case was jointly prosecuted by the England Illegal Money Lending Team (IMLT) and the CPS.
Charlotte Kenny, prosecuting on behalf of the CPS, said Seng Low operated and controlled the ‘Seng Line’ from Birkenhead, supplying drugs across Wirral.
She said Carole was actively engaged with her son in these activities and lent money to people who needed cash to buy drugs.
Carole Low, of Prenton Road West, Birkenhead, did not have authorisation from the Financial Conduct Authority, but lent money between 2018 and 2025. This started before the drugs conspiracy which lasted four months.
She would chase the debt from people who had bought drugs and add extra charges. Some started borrowing from her to buy drugs.
In March 2025 IMLT officers accompanied by Merseyside Police officers executed a warrant and conducted a search at Carole Low’s home after which she was arrested.
Seng Low was also arrested at his address in Prenton Road West and was found in possession of the ‘drug line’ phone.
Ms Kenny said Seng Low played a significant role in the drug supply chain.
She said Carole Low, on occasions, was involved in passing illegal drugs to others. However, her primary role was financial, keeping track of the finances and lending money. When users could not pay Seng, he directed them to his mother.
Users referred to buying drugs from Seng Low and Carole Low chasing them to recover the debt that had accumulated with the addition of interest.
Seng would introduce his mother to those looking for loans to purchase drugs. The interest rate started at 50% and increased to 100%. Carole Low would dictate the annotations to be used when transferring money to her bank account – ‘shopping’ or ‘loan’ or ‘Seng Low’.
One witness described borrowing money from Carole Low over a number of years as well as buying crack cocaine from her directly. He stated that if he borrowed £30 cash, he would immediately owe her £60. He told investigating officers that he thought he owed her £2,000 but he had no idea if this was correct and stated that he repaid in cash and via his bank account.
IMLT investigators examined financial accounts and found Carole Low had provided loans or credit to at least 50 people, with at least 5,000 advances the value of £240,000.
She received at least 1,400 payments to the value of at least £363,000.
She charged 50% interest, which in some cases was increased to 100% and she applied penalty charges for late payments.
Ms Kenny said this offence was particularly aggravated by the ‘cynical exploitation of vulnerable individuals abusing drugs’.
Speaking after the hearing, head of the IMLT, a national team hosted by Birmingham City Council, Dave Benbow, said: “This case shows how illegal lending is often linked to other crimes – such as the supply of drugs. These crimes can go hand in hand and by investigating illegal lenders we often uncover other types of criminality.
“In this case this lender was taking advantage of vulnerable people. We are pleased that this sentence today sends a message that illegal lending will not be tolerated in our communities.”
The IMLT works in partnership with Wirral Trading Standards to tackle illegal lending in the area.
Many illegal lenders are well known in communities. They do not complete affordability checks on borrowers, often meaning they are lending to people who cannot pay them back. These borrowers do not have the protection of consumer law such as cancellation periods and the ability to apply for help if they can’t pay. This causes huge amounts of stress and can impact their other finances – leaving them unable to pay rent or other priority bills.
Anyone who has been affected by illegal money lending should call the Stop Loan Sharks 24/7 Helpline on 0300 555 2222 or access support online at www.stoploansharks.co.uk. The team can also be contacted via WhatsApp on 07700 102773 between 9am and 8pm Monday to Friday.
