I really don't understand how KYC would have been of any help
KYC can't help anything to a lender. If the borrower defaults then the lender can not do anything with the KYC whether the KYC document is valid or fake. Because from one country it is impossible to do anything with such type of document for such amount of fund. And at the same time, it is almost impossible to do anything even if the borrower and lender are in the same country.