Thursday, April 2, 2009

SFPD Warns Of Extortion Attempts

SF: POLICE WARN OF EXTORTION ATTEMPTS ON CHINESE BUSINESSES

SAN FRANCISCO (BCN)

San Francisco police today warned of attempts to extort Chinese businesses by someone demanding tens of thousands to help relatives allegedly jailed in China.

According to police, businesses are being phoned by a Mandarin-speaking man claiming he needs $20,000 to $30,000 to release his brother from a Chinese jail.

The man threatens physical harm if the money is not paid, but doesn't detail how the money is to be paid, police said.

Police said 15 cases have so far been reported in San Francisco, and about 60 similar cases have been reported in San Jose, Fremont, Sunnyvale and Milpitas.

The San Francisco Police Department's gang task force is cooperating with other law enforcement, including the FBI's Asian Organized Crime Squad, in the investigation, police and the FBI said.

Anyone receiving such a phone call is asked to contact San Francisco police Inspector Jameson Pon at (415) 553-9221 or the anonymous tip line (415) 575-4444.

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