Leopold Strauss, the Austrian loan shark of the Van der Linde gang, sends Arthur Morgan on morally murky debt collection missions in Red Dead Redemption 2. From chasing down a fleeing debtor to uncovering hidden stashes, and even confronting desperate families, the “Money Lending and Other Sins” questline forces players to grapple with the thin line between survival and exploitation in the harsh world of the Wild West. Will you follow orders or let your conscience steer you?
How to unlock: Speak with Leopold Strauss in the gang hideout in Horseshoe Overlook.
Walkthrough: Leopold gives you the List of Debtors. The first three debt collecting missions can be completed in any order.
The first debtor is called Mr. Wróbel. His house is on the hill behind the river, west from the gang hideout. Wróbel is inside the building. Your option is to threaten or beat him. Start exploring Wróbel’s house – look for any interactive containers and chests. You can choose to collect only those items that are worth about the same as the man’s debt or you can decide to take everything.
Another debtor is called Chick Matthews – the man is on one of the farms. Reach the place and start asking for Matthews. The man will run away. Get on your horse and start chasing the debtor. The best solution is to get close enough to him to be able to catch the man with a lasso (the picture 1). Matthews gives you Chick’s Treasure Map. Examine it in your inventory. Reach the place marked on the map. The treasure is hidden right at the base of the large tree (see the picture 2).
Note – The chase section can’t be skipped, even when you speak with Matthews (he is cleaning a horse). When you do that, the man will send Morgan to speak with another person.
Lilly Millet, from Emerald Ranch, is the next person on your list. Ask the locals about the woman. Reach the place where Lilly and Cooper are. Defeat Cooper in a fistfight. He is a tough opponent so don’t forget to use blocks. Search Cooper’s body to collect the debt.
Note – Collecting money from Cooper can be seen as a criminal act (theft). Chase the witnesses before they inform the police or quickly leave the ranch.
Go back to the hideout and place the collected goods into the camp funds chest. This is the first moment when you can check the Ledger and order hideout improvements. This step is optional, however, we recommend getting new upgrades at regular intervals (the camp funds chest should hold enough money for a project you want to order).
The two best projects are the upgrade for Dutch’s lodging ($220) and the fast travel map ($325). Get them both to unlock the option that allows you to fast travel to other locations from the gang hideout.
Meet with Strauss again. He gives you the location of another debtor – Thomas Downes. Go to his farm. Downes is working in the garden. Approach the man and allow him to attack the hero (Downes’ attack will fail). Decide whether you want to only threaten the man or you want to beat himup. Sadly, you won’t collect the debt. Downes is severely ill – he and his family live in poverty. Go back to Strauss and inform him about everything.
How to get a gold medal in Money Lending and Other Sins?
- Complete the mission in less than 2 minutes and 10 seconds – This challenge is connected only to the last debtor, Thomas Downes. The time starts running when you reach the farm. Go straight to the garden. Be fast at choosing behavior options to end the meeting as fast as you can. You should also quickly reach the gang hideout so you can speak with Strauss.
What are the main challenges in completing the Money Lending and Other Sins missions
The main challenges in completing the “Money Lending and Other Sins” missions in Red Dead Redemption 2 include:
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Chasing Debtors: Some debtors, like Chick Matthews, will flee upon confrontation, requiring players to engage in horseback chases and use tools like the lasso to capture them. Timing and precision are critical during these sequences.
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Moral Dilemmas: Many of the debtors are portrayed as sympathetic characters, such as Thomas Downes, who is gravely ill and impoverished. This creates an emotional conflict for players, as they must decide whether to follow orders or act more compassionately.
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Combat Challenges: Some encounters involve physical confrontations, such as fistfights with Cooper at Emerald Ranch. These fights require skillful blocking and countering to succeed.
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Avoiding Witnesses: Collecting debts can sometimes be perceived as theft by NPCs, leading to potential witnesses reporting you to the authorities. Players must either chase down witnesses or quickly leave the area to avoid trouble.
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Treasure Hunting: For certain debtors like Chick Matthews, players need to decipher treasure maps to locate hidden stashes. This requires careful observation and navigation skills.
These challenges test a variety of gameplay mechanics, from combat and navigation to decision-making and moral judgment.
What are the consequences of failing to collect a debt
The consequences of failing to collect a debt can vary depending on the context and jurisdiction, but generally, they involve increased financial and legal pressures on both the debtor and the creditor. Here are some potential consequences:
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Financial Impact on the Debtor:
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Credit Score Damage: Unpaid debts can significantly lower a debtor’s credit score, making it harder to secure future loans or credit.
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Legal Action: Creditors may sue debtors to collect debts, potentially leading to wage garnishment, bank account seizures, or property liens if the court rules in their favor.
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Increased Debt: Ignoring debts can lead to additional fees and interest, increasing the total amount owed.
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Financial and Operational Impact on the Creditor:
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Loss of Revenue: Unpaid debts result in lost revenue for creditors, which can impact their financial stability and operational capacity.
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Increased Collection Costs: Pursuing debtors through legal means or hiring collection agencies can be costly for creditors.
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Reputation and Trust: Repeated failures in debt collection can affect a creditor’s reputation and trustworthiness among other clients or investors.
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Legal and Regulatory Consequences:
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Bankruptcy Proceedings: In severe cases, debtors may be forced into bankruptcy, while creditors might face financial strain or even bankruptcy themselves if they cannot recover significant debts.
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Regulatory Scrutiny: Creditors must comply with debt collection laws to avoid legal repercussions, such as fines or lawsuits for harassment.
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